Citizens Advice Liverpool wins national Equity, Diversity and Inclusion award.
A Citizens Advice Liverpool project has won an award for championing equity, diversity and inclusion at the National Citizens Advice Conference 2021.
The LGBTQ+ Hate crime project provides specialised support for victims of hate crime based on their gender identity or sexual orientation across Merseyside. The winner was selected from nominations across the local Citizens Advice network by a judging panel chaired by Citizens Advice Executive Director of Operations Michele Shambrook.
Of the award, Warren Buckley, Chair of Trustees for Citizens Advice, said:
"The Citizens Advice Liverpool LGBTQ+ Hate Crime Project was chosen because the judges felt it championed equity, diversity and inclusion across a number of intersecting identities and demographics.
As hate crimes against the LGBTQ+ community have increased in the area, with high profile offences in the media, Citizens Advice Liverpool has supported victims to feel safer, better able to cope with everyday life and able to take steps to improve their health and wellbeing.
Hate crime support worker Charanjeet Birdie has provided people with tailored support after experiencing hate crime. Project Lead Emma Nibbs has worked closely with local LGBTQ+ organisations and activists to build relationships and to promote the service and combat hate crime across Merseyside.
We would like it to be known that the project couldn’t have been achieved without the hard work of previous project lead, Leanne Campbell Syers, and support workers, Lynn Gatherer, Marya McCann and Lucy Riseborough."
Emma Nibbs, the project lead, said of the award:
I’m so thrilled to have won this award for our LGBTQ+ Victim Support service. It’s been a really challenging few months, with the rise in LGBTQ+ Hate crime over the summer, and I’m so proud that our service was able to support the community in this way. Charanjeet started working on the project in November 2020 and her experience as an advisor has added so much value to the service we offer. She works really hard, going above and beyond for her clients, so really deserves this recognition.
Heather Jessop, CEO of Citizens Advice Liverpool also commented:
“This project exemplifies how Citizens Advice Liverpool works with the community to bring life-changing support and advice to those that need it most. Well done to all involved!"
You can find out more about our LGBTQ+ Hate Crime victim support project and how to get in contact on our website: www.citizensadviceliverpool.org.uk/hate-crime.
