Positive Action Awards 2008

The Northwest Positive Action Awards took take place last night (15th October) in Warrington to reward businesses, service providers and individuals that are making a real difference to the lives of disabled people and carers in England's Northwest - a list of winners is attached.

Disabled people across the region have spent the last 12 months nominating employers, businesses, services providers and individuals who promote independence, deliver accessible and/or inclusive services or maintain exemplary employment practices for disabled people and carers in throughout the region.

Fact

There are 1.4 million disabled people and 750,000 carers in the Northwest.

Organised by Warrington Disability Partnership and supported by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), the awards provide an opportunity to promote the innovative work undertaken by organisations and individuals in the region to support both disabled people and their carers.

Dave Thompson MBE DL, Event Co-ordinator, said:

"This year's awards have already proved to be as popular as ever. With over 100 nominations the judges had a hard task to shortlist the final 15 winners. The awards provide an opportunity to disabled people and carers living in the Northwest to nominate those organisations and individuals who are making a real and positive impact on their lives.

This years winners include individuals who have dedicated their lives to enabling disabled people to become more independent including small businesses that have made changes to their services to accommodate the needs of disabled customers and employees, large nationally recognised employers who are delivering fantastic support to the disabled employees and outstanding individuals."

The awards were presented by Malcolm Kennedy, Equality & Diversity Policy Manager of the NWDA, at a Gala Presentation Evening at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington.

Nominations for the 2009 years awards can be made online via www.positiveactionawards.org.uk or by nomination form available from Warrington Disability Partnership on 01925 240064.

2008 Winners:

• Andrew Coleman
• Brighter Future Workshop Limited
• NHS Central Lancashire
• Chill Factore
• NHS East Lancashire
• The Frog and Bucket Comedy Club
• Jacqueline Dewhurst
• Long Lane Garden Centre
• Nu Shoes- Formby
• Pathways Community Interest Company
• Sign of Our Times
• Stephen Brookes
• Tony Wheeler
• Twinkle House
• Urbis

A wonderful night