Category: Inspirational Diversity Champion of the Month

Inspirational Diversity Champion of the Month – May 2015

On By In Disability, Diversity, Inspirational Diversity Champion of the Month

Mark Smith1This month Deaf Awareness Week runs from 4 to 10 May and for this reason we have chosen Mark Smith as our Inspirational Diversity Champion of the Month.

Mark is a freelance dancer, teacher, actor and choreographer who was born deaf and diagnosed as profoundly so when he was four. As a young child his mum took his sister to dance school and Mark would have to tag along. He watched the kids dancing and felt the vibration of the music at the same time. Mark used to copy them, dancing at the back of the class where his mother noticed and let him join properly. He was accepted into the Royal Ballet School’s Junior Associates when he was 10, and when he left school he went to London Studio Centre and trained for three years.

Mark didn’t have any deaf artists to look up to and grew up to believe that nothing could stop him. His mother encouraged him to follow his dream and never let his deafness hold him back.

As a dancer Mark was a performer with Firefly, LaRibot and the Aaron Williamson Dance Company and in 2010 Mark formed ‘Deaf Men Dancing’ an innovative and emerging all male dance company. It is a collaboration of male dancers/choreographers who, like Mark, are deaf. Together they have created a fusion of differing styles of dance with sign-language incorporated into the devising and choreography.

Mark has work on numerous productions and shows including the Opening Ceremony of the 2012 Paralympics.

To find out more about Mark, Deaf Men Dancing and the rest of his work see his website at http://marksmithproduction.com/marksmith.html

Inspirational Diversity Champion of the Month – April 2015

On By In Disability, Diversity, Inspirational Diversity Champion of the Month

Alastair photoThis month sees the start of MS Awareness Week and with that in mind we have chosen Alastair Hignell as our Inspirational Diversity Champion of the month.

Alastair is a former rugby player, cricketer and broadcaster who was diagnosed with MS in 1999 and is now the Patron of MS-UK.

Alastair attended Fitzwilliam College at the University of Cambridge and won Blues in both cricket and rugby and was only the second man to captain Cambridge in both sports. By the time he graduated from the University in 1977, he had played rugby for England several times. After university he continued to play rugby for Bristol and England in the winter, played cricket for Gloucestershire in the summer whilst working as a teacher.

Alastair continued to teach until he moved into journalism full-time and he became a respected reporter, as well as working extensively on BBC Radio commentating on both rugby and cricket. He has also written for Wisden Cricket Monthly, Rugby World, the Wooden Spoon Yearbook, Lawrence Dallaglio’s “Rugby Tales”, International match programmes, and New Pathways magazine. When broadcasting duties allowed, he also contributed to the Sunday Telegraph and the Daily Telegraph.  His autobiography “Higgy…Matches, Microphones and MS” was published in September 2011 and was named the Rugby Book of the Year at the British Sports books Awards in May 2012.

Alastair became Patron of Multiple Sclerosis UK (MS-UK) in 2002 and has since been active in raising funds for the charity.  In 2008, inspired by Alastair’s heroic achievements on and off the pitch, Higgy’s Heroes, a fundraising body linked to MS-UK was created. Initially a one-off idea by a group of ex-teammates and opponents who decided to run the London Marathon in tribute to Higgy, the name and the idea continued beyond this one event. Since then there have been a number of Higgy’s Heroes fundraising events largely based on physical achievements or sports activities.

In 2008 Alastair won the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Helen Rollason Award  for his work in spreading awareness of multiple sclerosis and in 2009 he was awarded a CBE for services to sport and for his charity work.

For more information about Alastair and his work go to his website at http://www.alastairhignell.com/

 

 

Inspirational Diversity Champion of the Month – March 2015

On By In Diversity, Gender, Inspirational Diversity Champion of the Month, LGBT

Sandi 1

International Women’s Day will be held on Sunday 8 March and with this in mind we have chosen Sandi Toksvig as our Inspirational Diversity Champion of the Month.

A passionate campaigner for equality and human rights, Sandi has led the charge for same-sex marriage in the UK, and is dedicated to celebrating and supporting women in today’s society.

One of the original members of the Comedy Store Players, Sandi’s hugely successful career has spanned several decades across television and theatre. She has written numerous works for the stage including her play Bully Boy at the St James Theatre, and seasons with the Nottingham Playhouse and the New Shakespeare Company at Regents Park.

A renowned broadcaster, Sandi’s work also includes Channel 4’s Fifteen to One, Behind the Headlines, The Big One with Mike McShane, Island Race with John McCarthy, Whose Line is it Anyway? and Call My Bluff. She is also a regular on BBC Radio 4 and is currently host of The News Quiz.

Sandi is the author of more than 20 novels. Her book Hitler’s Canary, which was based upon her family’s experiences living under occupation in Denmark during the Second World War, was published in 2005, and another book for children, Girls Are Best, was published in 2009. Her latest novel Valentine Grey was released in 2012, and she also has a regular column in Good Housekeeping.

In January Sandi was named President of Women of the Year, an organisation that has recognised, celebrated and inspired women of all backgrounds for 60 years and continues to shine a light on extraordinary women through an annual lunch, lecture and on-going foundation work.  She is a long term supporter of the organisation and has compered the annual Lunch & Awards for more than ten years, she  has also been one of the judges.

Sandi entered into a civil partnership with her partner Debbie in 2007. They renewed their vows in March 2014, when same-sex marriage was introduced in England and Wales, and in December 2014, their civil partnership was converted into a marriage.

 

For more information on Sandi, her life and work, see her website at http://sanditoksvig.com/

Inspirational Diversity Champion of the Month – February 2015

On By In Diversity, Inspirational Diversity Champion of the Month, LGBT

Print

February is LGBT History Month and with this in mind we have chosen the University LGBT Staff Network as our Inspirational Diversity Champion of the Month.

This is the first time we have chosen a group of people and the first time we have chosen university staff.  The LGBT Staff Network was born out of a survey in the HR Directorate newsletter Staff Matters asking whether staff would be interested in a network of this type.  The answer was a small but resounding Yes!  The Network had its official launch in September 2013 with a well attended reception being held at our Greenwich Campus.

The Network is supported by senior management at the University with Christopher Hallas as the Senior LGBT Champion and Linda Burke as the Senior Straight Sponsor.  The LGBT Network Committee works very closely with the Equality and Diversity Champion on a number of issues in particular the Stonewall Submission for the Equality Workplace Index and they are the main reason why we have managed to climb up the index to our current position of 182 out of 397 participating organisations.

Since its launch the Network has grown steadily in numbers and holds events throughout the year including ‘Tea on Tuesdays’ on the first Tuesday of every month, an informal drop-in & catch-up session. It’s an ideal opportunity to meet up with colleagues and new acquaintances for a general chat, networking, or to catch-up on the Network’s ongoing\future activities. For details of ‘Tea on Tuesdays’ and other activities and events please visit the ‘What’s On’ page of the Network’s blog.

The LGBT Staff Network is a huge supporter of the annual University Celebrate Difference and Diversity Event and will be taking part again this year.  So come along and see them at their stall in March.

You can also find further information on the Network on the HR webpages at http://www.gre.ac.uk/offices/hr/e-and-d/lgbt-staff-network or follow them on Twitter @UoG_LGBT.

Inspirational Diversity Champion – January 2015

On By In Age, Diversity, Inspirational Diversity Champion of the Month

Rose Wylie

Our Inspirational Diversity Champion for January is the artist Rose Wylie.

In 2014 Rose won one of the UK’s most prestigious painting awards at the age of 80. The £25,000 John Moores Painting Prize, was Rose’s latest accolade after being belatedly discovered by the art world with her paintings only receiving recognition in the past five years.  She won for her painting ‘PV Windows and Floorboards’, which represents figures at a private view in an art gallery. Unlike the Turner Prize, which excludes artists over the age of 50, the John Moores Prize has no upper age limit.  It was founded in 1957, and previous winners have included David Hockney, Richard Hamilton and Peter Doig.

The prize comes 60 years after she began studying at Folkestone and Dover School of Art.  Rose  resumed her art training at the Royal College of Art while in her mid-40s, having taken time out to bring up her family but it was some years before she began to receive recognition on the art scene.

In 2010, at the age of 76, she was selected to represent the UK in the Women to Watch exhibition at the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington DC, which showcases up-and-coming artists.

She received a Paul Hamlyn Award for Visual Art in 2011 and her first retrospective opened the Jerwood Gallery in Hastings in 2012.

Wylie’s work has recently been exhibited in New York and Amsterdam and she has exhibitions planned for Wolfsburg, Dublin and another in New York.

Inspirational Diversity Champion – December 2014

On By In Disability, Diversity, Inspirational Diversity Champion of the Month

Alex Brooker

The 3rd December is International Day of People with Disabilities and with this in mind we have chosen Alex Brooker as our Inspirational Diversity Champion for December.  Alex is a journalist and TV presenter, best known for his television work with Channel 4.  He was born with hand and arm deformities and a twisted right leg which was amputated when he was a baby.

Alex graduated from Liverpool John Moores University in 2006, following which he worked as a reporter on the Liverpool Echo.  He first appeared on TV as a trackside reporter at the 2011 Paralympic World Cup and at the 2012 Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony Alex was seen interviewing Boris Johnson and David Cameron.  During the Games Alex was the co-host of the TV show The Last Leg with Adam Hills and Josh Widdicombe, the show proved so popular that there have now been four series.  Earlier this year Alex co presented the TV show The Jump and in 2013 hosted a documentary about body image entitled ‘Alex Brooker: My Perfect Body’.

In May this year, Alex fronted a campaign called ‘End The Awkward’ by disability charity Scope which used comedy to shine a light on the awkwardness that many people feel about disability. He appeared in three adverts guiding viewers through awkward situations that they may encounter with a disabled person.

In November this year Alex married his fiancée Lyndsey at Hazelwood Castle in Yorkshire.

Inspirational Diversity Champion of the Month – November 2014

On By In Age, Diversity, Inspirational Diversity Champion of the Month

Jack Petchey 2

Our Inspirational Diversity Champion for November is Jack Petchey.  Jack was born in the East End in 1925. He left school with no qualifications when he was 13 and joined the Navy’s Fleet Air Arm in 1943. Following his discharge from the Navy, he bought his first second hand car (using his £39 Navy discharge gratuity) and started a taxi business. He worked long and hard, overcoming adversity and going on to become a multi-millionaire through his various business ventures, which spanned from motor car dealing and garages to property, travel and investment. At 88 Jack still comes to the office every day, but now it is his philanthropy that interests him most! In 1999 Jack established the Jack Petchey Foundation and his businesses have since given £85 million to support youth projects. Jack seeks to increase young people’s aspirations by rewarding their achievements and encouraging them to take pride in what they have done.  He focuses on the positives rather than highlighting the negatives. Jack believes that if you reward success and help young people feel positive about themselves you can give them the confidence and aspiration to change, overcome adversity and live to their full potential. In 2012, Jack was awarded the CBE in recognition of his services to young people.  He believes that people should think of others and give back to society, no matter how small an act of kindness or generosity, he wants young people to know that in giving, you also receive and the world is a better place for it!   This emphasis on positive affirmation, self-belief, and the willingness to make an effort and to give to others are key to the development of the work of the Jack Petchey Foundation.

Our Inspirational Diversity Champion of the Month for July, Laura Mothersole, has recently received a Jack Petchey Award for her work with the Girl Guides and Brownies receiving £200 to spend on activities for them.

To find out more about Jack and his foundation go to the website http://www.jackpetcheyfoundation.org.uk/home

Inspirational Diversity Champion – October 2014

On By In Disability, Diversity, Inspirational Diversity Champion of the Month

Charlie Walker 2

The Invictus Games was held from 10 – 14 September.  Over 400 competitors from 13 nations took part in the international sporting event for wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women. Teams came from the armed forces of nations that served alongside each other. The idea of the Games was to use the power of sport to inspire recovery, support rehabilitation, and generate a wider understanding and respect of those who serve their country.

One of the athletes taking part in the Games for Great Britain was Charlie Walker and we have chosen Charlie as our Inspirational Diversity Champion for October.  Charlie was a trainee bomb disposal expert in the Royal Logistics Corps.  In 2006 he contracted meningitis and as a result lost both of his legs below the knee.  Less than a year later Charlie discovered the sport of wheelchair basketball and then sitting volleyball in which he represented Great Britain at the 2012 Paralympics.

At the Invictus Games Charlie took part in three events, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby, of which he was the captain and sitting volleyball. In each event Great Britain won the gold medal.  Charlie was an inspiration to not only his team mates but also everyone involved in the Games and truly lived up to the Games motto ‘I AM INVICTUS’.

Invictus

by William Ernest Henley

Out of the night that covers me, Black as the pit from pole to pole, I thank whatever gods may be For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance I have not winced nor cried aloud. Under the bludgeonings of chance My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears Looms but the Horror of the shade, And yet the menace of the years Finds and shall find me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate, How charged with punishments the scroll, I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.

Inspirational Diversity Champion – September 2014

On By In Diversity, Ethnicity, Gender, Inspirational Diversity Champion of the Month

Maggie Alphonsi

Following the recent success of the England women’s rugby team winning the World Cup in August this year, we have chosen Maggie Alphonsi as our Inspirational Diversity Champion for September.

Despite being born with a club foot Maggie was encouraged to play rugby by her PE teacher and she joined Saracens RFC. She progressed quickly and, at the age of just 18, was selected for the England Academy squad. She earned her first international cap at the age of 19 and a hugely successful career in the sport followed.  She has played in three Rugby World Cups and in 2012 shared in a record-breaking seventh successive Six Nations title and a sixth Grand Slam in seven years.

Maggie has been named in the Powerlist for three years running, a highly respected publication which profiles 100 of the most influential people of African and African-Caribbean descent in Britain. She won the Sunday Times Sportswoman of the Year prize in 2010, and the prestigious Pat Marshall award from the Rugby Union Writers’ Club in 2012 becoming the first woman to claim the prize in its 50-year history. Also in 2012 Maggie was awarded an MBE for Services to Rugby.

In what little spare time she has, she acts as an Athlete Mentor Manager for the Youth Sport Trust. She is also one of four Rugby World Cup 2015 Ambassadors along with Lawrence Dallaglio, Will Greenwood and Jonny Wilkinson and is an ambassador of several charities including Wooden Spoon, Sporting Equals and SKRUM which aims to give the youth of Africa hope for the future through rugby.

Maggie is currently deciding whether to retire from playing having finally achieved her greatest desire to win the world cup.  Whatever she decides to do she will always be one of the greatest players ever to have represented their country.