Local communities across the region are celebrating today as the five award category winners of the Good Relations Awards 2024 are announced. The event, which took place on 12th March hosted by Mark Simpson was held at Mossley Mill, Newtownabbey.

Co-ordinated by the Community Relations Council and delivered in partnership with The Executive Office, this year’s awards attracted 75 entries. Showcased across each of the five award categories was the increasing level of outstanding community relations, intercultural and peacebuilding work which is having a real impact, improving people’s lives, their outlook for the future, and strengthening community spirit across the region.

Each of the categories were designed to recognise exceptional commitment to good relations work, and provide an opportunity for those who go above and beyond every day, to step forward and shine. 

The event was also attended by the Awards Partners, Volunteer Now, Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action (NICVA), NI Youth Forum and the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland (CFNI), all of whom encouraged local groups, individuals and organisations from across the region to get involved and to submit nominations for the 2024 Good Relations Awards programme.

Junior Minister Aisling Reilly said:

“The Good Relations Awards showcase the vital role of good relations work in peace building and community cohesion.  They provide an opportunity to recognise the individuals who unite and champion our local communities, the projects that connect us and drive us forward in peace, understanding and cultural respect.

“Communities continue to undertake vital work and dedicate time and resources to improve their local communities. Now, more than ever having healthy, connected and welcoming communities is an essential part of the fabric of our society.

“I would like to congratulate and celebrate all those who were recognised today and also to thank everyone who took the time to put forward a nomination for this year’s Awards.  You have provided us with inspiration and the opportunity to showcase best practice and shared learning for others to follow.”

Junior Minister Pam Cameron said:

“An important part of the ‘Together: Building a United Community’ (T:BUC) Strategy, is our commitment to improving community relations and continuing our shared purpose to improve relations that reach much deeper and wider into our communities.

“We are committed to working together, and with new and existing partners to deliver a shared society for everyone, and the extended Good Relations Awards programme provides the perfect opportunity to extend this partnership working.

“I am delighted to be here with you today to celebrate the award results and to offer public recognition for the people and projects that are delivering vital good relations work across all our communities.”

Martin McDonald MBE, Chair of the Community Relations Council said: 

“Since their inception in 2006, The Good Relations Awards have played a key role in promoting and sustaining peacebuilding efforts. They celebrate the achievements of those dedicated to this cause, while inspiring others to take action, and fostering a spirit of collaboration and community across the region.

The Good Relations Awards 2024 shine a spotlight on the unsung heroes of the region, celebrating those who tirelessly work towards peacebuilding and fostering community cohesion.

The Community Relations Council is honoured to help recognise the exceptional commitment of individuals and groups who go above and beyond every day to unite and champion our local communities. This year’s winners clearly demonstrate the promotion of peace, understanding, and cultural respect. These people are dedicated peacebuilders making a real difference, strengthening our sense of community and building towards a lasting and sustainable peace for all. Join us in honouring the remarkable efforts of these local champions who are the backbone of our society, tirelessly working towards a better Northern Ireland for everyone.”

Notes

The five Award categories and supporting partners are: 

Community Relations Council Exceptional Achievement Award (peace building) – Partner Community Relations Council

Winner: Elizabeth (Betty) Carlisle

Recognition Awards: Harry Maher and Joe McKeown

Good Relations Volunteer of the Year Award – Partner Volunteer Now

Winner: Yvonne Heaney

Recognition Awards: Helen Dunn and James Reynolds

Good Relations Community Champion Award – Partner NICVA

Winner: David Patterson

Recognition Awards: Ioana Stoica and Margaret Cunningham

Good Relations Youth Award (Under 25) – Partner NI Youth Forum

Winner: Crosslink Volunteer Team Youth Initiative

Recognition Awards: Empowering Young Women’s Project and Nadia Boudhaim Maguire.

Good Relations Connecting Communities Project of the Year – Partner The Community Foundation

Winner: Waterside Shared Village

Recognition Awards: Naíscoil na Seolta and Martina Byrne, Andy Peters, Catherine Cummings (Rural Communities Connect Project)

The Good Relations Awards 2024 are now open for nominations. The Awards will spotlight the vital role that members of the community throughout Northern Ireland play in delivering peacebuilding and community cohesion.

The Good Relations Awards are run annually by the Community Relations Council in partnership with The Executive Office (TEO). They recognise exceptional commitment to Good Relations work by those selfless individuals who go above and beyond, every single day, to make Northern Ireland a better place. The Awards celebrate those who unite and champion our local communities, and they also showcase the wide range of projects connecting communities though peace, understanding and cultural respect.

This crucial everyday peacebuilding work has an immense impact on all our lives, strengthening our sense of community in the places we live, work and play, as well as building towards a lasting and sustainable peace for all.

Building on the success of the expanded 2023 Good Relations Awards, this year there are five Award categories which will recognise the huge level of outstanding community relations, intercultural and peacebuilding work undertaken in local communities throughout Northern Ireland.

There are five award categories: The Community Relations Council Exceptional Achievement Award; Good Relations Volunteer of the Year Award; Good Relations Community Champion Award; Good Relations Youth Award (Under 25); and the Good Relations Connecting Communities Project of the Year Award.

Each of the Award categories is supported by a partner organisation: Volunteer Now; NICVA; NI Youth Forum, and Community Foundation for Northern Ireland.

If you know a local group, individual or organisation in Northern Ireland deserving of recognition for their work, then nominate now for the 2024 Good Relations Awards. The closing date for nominations is Tuesday 19 December 2024 at 12 noon.

Martin McDonald, MBE, Chair of the Community Relations Council, said: 

“The Community Relations Council is proud that we have delivered the Good Relations Award since 2006 to highlight exceptional achievements by local peacebuilders throughout Northern Ireland. The Good Relations Awards 2024 continues to expand this recognition of the wonderful work that goes on every day. We now work in partnership to deliver the Awards with TEO, NICVA, Community Foundation for Northern Ireland, NI Youth Forum, and Volunteer Now.

“The Good Relations Awards 2024 is a great opportunity to recognise the efforts of the people dedicated to delivering peacebuilding every day in Northern Ireland. This is to showcase those people working in our local communities, from grassroots level and upwards, who are tireless champions of peace and dedicated to making a real difference to all our lives.  

“We are keenly aware that many are currently experiencing challenging conditions, such as the cost-of-living crisis, and this affects peacebuilding groups too as they navigate a particularly difficult funding environment. It is more important than ever to highlight the people who are making a difference and helping to build lasting peace throughout the region. Nominate someone now at https://goodrelationsawards.com.”

Chris Gardner, Director of Good Relations and T:BUC Division TEO, said:

“Now, more than ever, having healthy, connected and welcoming communities is a crucial part of the fabric of our society. Through the Together: Building a United Community (T:BUC) Strategy, The Executive Office is committed to improving community relations and continuing our shared purpose to improve people’s lives.

“We are committed to working together, and with new and existing partners, to deliver a shared society for everyone. The extended Good Relations Awards programme, now in its second year, provides a vital opportunity for TEO to expand our partnership working and to come together to offer public recognition for the vital good relations work taking place in communities across the region.

“The Awards will also provide inspiration and opportunities to showcase best practice and shared learning opportunities for others to follow and I would encourage those working in good relations across the sector to put forward their nominations as soon as possible.”

Deadline for completed applications: Tuesday 19 December 2023 at 12 noon.
 
Nominate today – please visit www.goodrelationsawards.com

The winners and highly commended awardees at the Good Relations Awards 2023 ceremony, which took place in Belfast Harbour Commissioners Office.

Recognising the good relations work and people that are transforming our communities.

Communities across Northern Ireland are celebrating today as the five award category winners of the Good Relations Awards 2023 were announced. The event, hosted by Jo Scott from the BBC, was held at the Belfast Harbour Commissioners Office on Tuesday 7 March 2023.

The Awards are co-ordinated by the Community Relations Council and in partnership with The Executive Office. This year the extended award categories attracted 53 entries and showcased the increasing level of outstanding community relations, intercultural and peacebuilding work that is taking place across all our communities.

The Awards have showcased the crucial work that is having a real impact in our society, improving people’s lives and their outlook for the future, while also strengthening the community spirit in the places and spaces where we live, work, and play.

They also highlighted the vital role of good relations in peace building and community cohesion, recognising the individuals who unite and champion our local communities, and the projects that connect us and drive our communities forward in peace, understanding and cultural respect.

This year’s categories were designed to recognise the exceptional commitment to good relations work, while also providing opportunities for those who go above and beyond every day, to step forward and shine. We also welcomed our Awards Partners, who encouraged local groups, individuals and organisations from across the region to get involved and to submit nominations for the 2023 Good Relations Awards programme. The partners are Volunteer Now, Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action (NICVA), NI Youth Forum and Community Foundation for Northern Ireland (CFNI).

Martin McDonald, MBE, Chair of the Community Relations Council, said: 

“The Community Relations Council is proud of the legacy of the Good Relations Award, which we have organised since 2006 to highlight exceptional achievements by local peacebuilders throughout Northern Ireland. The newly expanded 2023 Good Relations Awards – in partnership with The Executive Office, NICVA, Community Foundation for Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland Youth Forum, and Volunteer Now – aims to highlight even more amazing individuals across five Award Categories.  

“The Good Relations Awards 2023 recognises the growing diversity of our society and the huge efforts of everyday people working from grassroots level and upwards making a real difference to all our lives.

“This year our Awards cover everything from sport, health, housing, education, arts, and culture, with both a rural and urban focus. We’d also like to thank Local Authorities for the great response we got with their nominations.

“The Good Relations Awards 2023 will shine a light on the people who strive for good community relations and set a positive example for us all.” 

Chris Gardner, Director of Good Relations and T:BUC Division TEO, said:

“Through the ‘Together: Building a United Community’ (T:BUC) Strategy, The Executive Office (TEO) is committed to improving community relations and continuing our shared purpose to improve people’s well-being.

“This years extended Good Relations Awards programme has provided an opportunity for TEO to expand our partnership working, and today we came together to offer public recognition and celebrate the vital good relations work taking place across our communities.

“Communities across Northern Ireland continue to undertake vital work and dedicate time and resources in order to improve their local communities and it was great today to take time to recognise the ongoing efforts.”

Notes

The Awards five categories and partners bodies supporting the Awards are:

Community Relations Council Exceptional Achievement Award (peace building) – (Partner: Community Relations Council)

Winner: Angila Chada

Runners Up: Maureen O’Gorman and Mary Hogg

 

Good Relations Volunteer of the Year Award – (Partner: Volunteer Now)

Winner: Adekanmi Abayomi

Runners Up: Dr Mukesh Chugh and Hazel McGuigan

 

Good Relations Community Champion Award – (Partner: NICVA)

Winner: Nicole Sloan

Runners Up: Mary Lafferty and Orla Hawkins

 

Good Relations Youth Award (Under 25) – (Partner: NI Youth Forum)

Winner: Aaron Smith

Runners Up: VOYPIC Women’s Group (Under 25s) and St Johns and Killowen Primary Schools pupils

 

Good Relations Connecting Communities Project of the Year Award – (Partner: Community Foundation for Northern Ireland)

Winner: Dennett Valley Healthy Network, Damien Devine

Runners Up: Principals (Darren Mornin and Rita Moore) Limavady High School and St. Mary’s High School, Limavady and TADA Rural Support Network, Geraldine Lawless