York People First nominated for Community Pride award

York People First is a registered charity based at York Eco Business Centre, Clifton Moor.

It works closely with businesses and schools around the city to fight for the rights of people with disabilities, and raise awareness of bullying in schools and workplaces.

The group was nominated for the Best Community Project by Vanita Grad, who said many members of the group were able to offer help through their experience of similar problems.

She said: “As part of their work they go into local schools and attend assemblies with the children to talk about bullying and hate crimes.

“Some of the group have been victims of bullying themselves because of their disabilities, and talk openly about this to the children.

“The pupils have really appreciated this because it has opened their eyes to the consequences of bullying.

“They see at first hand people with disabilities who are being intimidated by their own communities, and it is making them think more about it.”

The group has also produced a DVD of a play to raise awareness of the problem, and regularly attend meetings with the local council, NHS, probation service and community groups to provide input.

Shaun Lavery is a member of the group.

He said: “We’re absolutely honoured and gobsmacked by the nomination to be honest, we didn’t expect it at all.

“It’s nice that Vanita is proud of us and has got to know us as people. We’ve done a lot of training work with student nurses, and work on bullying with Tadcaster Grammar School and York High School, which we feel is an important part of the community.”

This is the eighth year The Press has run the awards, in partnership with City of York Council and local businesses, which celebrates the hard work of the city’s unsung heroes.

All nominees must live or be based in the City of York Council tax area, and the winners will be invited to a special awards ceremony in October.

Nominations can be submitted online before Friday, July 22.