icandance have been shortlised for this year’s National Diversity Awards.

A young person in a wheelchair in a sports hall

icandance, a small Barnet-based dance charity has been shortlisted for the Community Organisation: Age Award in this year’s National Diversity Awards.

Icandance, who empowered disabled children and young people through dance has continued to celebrate diversity in the last year through high-profile performances, including at Sadler’s Wells, and leadership programmes for disabled young people. From over 90,000 nominees, 125 finalists in 10 categories have been named in recognition of their dedication to advancing equality, diversity and inclusion.

The finalists in the Community Organisation: Age category including icandance are: SPACE Hertfordshire, SAFEquestrian, Cinnamon Trust Cornwall, #E Project, Reach Family Project, WCHG Youth Team, The K.A.Y.A.K.s Charity

icandance’s CEO and Founder Juliet Diener who will be attending the awards ceremony said: “We are overjoyed to be nominated for this prestigious award. We feel humbled to have our work recognised alongside so many phenomenal organisations and people. Our whole community will be cheering us on.”

Winners will be announced on 4th October 2024 at the 13th National Diversity Awards at Liverpool Anglican Cathedral.

This year’s event will be hosted for the second year running by world-renowned broadcaster, author, presenter and journalist Clare Balding, CBE who, in her life and through her work, champions diversity, inclusion and equity.

Clare Balding, CBE said: “I’m honoured and delighted to return as host for these uplifting and inspiring awards. It’s so important to recognise individuals, organisations and charities going above and beyond to unite their communities, making them stronger, safer and happier. The National Diversity Awards celebrate all that’s good and powerful in an inclusive society and bring much deserved attention to community heroes whose hard work and achievements might otherwise go unnoticed.”

Nominees were put forward for one of these categories:

Positive Role Model: Age / Disability / Gender / LGBT / Race, Faith or Religion
Community Organisation: Age / Disability / Gender / LGBT / Race, Faith or Religion / Multi-Strand
Lifetime Achiever
Celebrity of the Year
Entrepreneur of Excellence
Diverse Company of the Year

Paul Sesay, CEO of Inclusive Companies, and founder of the National Diversity Awards said: “These Awards honour the unsung heroes transforming lives and perceptions through their unwavering commitment. They also serve to inspire the next generation of diversity advocates to be courageous, take a stand and make a meaningful impact in their communities.”

The National Diversity Awards are in association with HSBC UK.

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