A dementia worker in Oldham has been recognised and praised as a diversity champion for her work with LGBTQ+ communities and ethnic minorities.

Sue O’Sullivan, a team leader at Oldham Dementia Support, was given the diversity award by her charity employer, Making Space.

She was selected to receive the trophy after judges praised her enthusiasm for embracing the needs of local black, Asian and LGBTQ+ communities who use the service.

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Sue was unable to attend the ceremony at Hilton Hotel in Liverpool, which had a keynote speech by motivational speaker and leadership expert Gavin Ingham, but her line manager, Cath Magee, was delighted to accept it on her behalf.

At the ceremony, the audience heard how Sue had tailored the one-to-one and group support available and taken “enormous steps” to ensure communities could share their knowledge with peers.

Cath Magee, Making Space regional head of operations, said: “Sue and her team are passionate about ensuring people who live with dementia and their carers get the support they need and nobody is isolated.

“Sue recognised that nothing was being done for the LGBTQ+ community in particular, and she worked hard to identify what needed to change and create essential support networks.

“Her efforts to get better services and support to Oldham’s BAME and LGBTQ+ communities have been quite rightly recognised and applauded.”

Sue's work involved producing an online support group for LGBTQ+ people living with dementia and their carers which she said was created "due to the historic abuse this community has faced".

She added: "It has been a privilege to be involved in giving people a chance to come together and discuss their needs and feelings.”

Alison Everett, Skills for Care area manager, and Making Space trustee Katharine Wykes, judged the candidates for the award and selected Sue for her enthusiasm and for "going out of her way to ensure her service is inclusive".

The Making Space Colleague Awards pay tribute to individuals and teams who inspire others, go above and beyond expectations and make a real difference to the lives of the people supported by the charity.

More than 150 employees from all over England were nominated for an award.

The Making Space awards were sponsored by telecommunications provider Focus Group while the diversity award was sponsored by Peninsula.

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