Liberate lifetime achievement award for Youth Theatre founder

Mrs McDonaugh was given the group’s lifetime achievement award in recognition of her service to the island’s youth theatre projects.

Mrs McDonaugh received the MBE in 2006 for her services.

Another award in the gift of Liberate, its special award, was given to the States of Guernsey, Alderney and Jersey for the work they have done in introducing same-sex marriage legislation to the islands.

Among the five regular awards, the College of Further Education was named as providing the best educational initiative, while the Channel Islands Co-Operative Society was given the award for best service provider.

Liberate CEO Vic Tanner-Davy said the judges had a difficult task.

‘Almost all the categories came down to a split decision.

‘The quality of work being undertaken across the islands is outstanding and Liberate are pleased to provide the platform on which to celebrate it.

‘The winners are organisations of different sizes, working in different industries, supporting different minorities and in different Bailiwicks. Appropriately, our winners are as diverse as the groups they are helping.’

While the awards are hosted by Liberate, they are judged by an independent diversity panel.

To find out more, go to www.liberate.je/awards.

The winners

Best small to medium employer, up to 80 employees. Nominated by employee(s): BCR Law. ‘The first Difera (Diversity, Inclusion, Fairness, Equality, Respect and Acceptance) accredited law firm in the Channel Islands, the judging panel were impressed by their early adoption of Difera and their involvement with the Every Child Our Future scheme.’

Best medium to large employer, more than 80 employees. Nominated by employee(s): Deloitte. ‘The judging panel were moved by the personal stories of two employees who had been supported by Deloitte’s inclusion initiatives for Muslim employees and women.’

Best service provider, as nominated by themselves or the general public: The Channel Islands Co-operative Society. ‘The CI Co-op’s autism hour is not related to the core business of the CI Co-op, but is a genuine attempt to include an excluded minority in a day-to-day activity. As such, the judging panel felt that it was exactly the sort of initiative that the awards were set up to encourage.’

Best educational initiative, as nominated by themselves or the general public: Guernsey College of Further Education. ‘The depth and variety of educational activities undertaken by the college to promote inclusion across the campus impressed the judging panel.’

Best not-for-profit support initiative, as nominated by themselves or the general public: Helping Wings Jersey. ‘The time and effort taken by this small charity to get the permission necessary to install a hand control in their aircraft so people with lower limb disability can experience flying made the judges’ decision in this category.’