Winning Community Organisation Award for Disability at the National Diversity Awards! 

Surrey Coalition of Disabled People has won the Community Organisation: Disability Award in this year’s National Diversity Awards in association with HSBC UK. More than 85,000 nominees with 125 finalists in 10 categories were named in recognition of their dedication to advancing equality, diversity and inclusion.

Surrey Coalition of Disabled People is a user-led charity run by and for disabled people and those with long-term health conditions. Rooted in lived experience, The Coalition empowers its members to shape a more accessible, inclusive, and equitable Surrey and North East Hampshire.

Through involvement forums, digital inclusion, mental health advocacy, and Get More Active programmes, they help disabled people stay connected, confident, and central to community life. Their work influences policy, co-designs public services with the NHS and councils, and fills gaps in support by listening to what matters most. From keeping people warm in winter to challenging national policy on welfare and access, the Coalition champions real change every day. With a strong voice, deep partnerships, and unwavering commitment to inclusion, they build a future where disabled people belong, lead, and thrive.

Now in their 14^th year, the annual National Diversity Awards bring a beacon of hope as they highlight the great work being done by individuals and organisations committed to diversity.

A remarkable 85,000 nominations and votes were received, celebrating individuals, groups and organisations committed to continuing with diversity and inclusion activities.

Winners were announced on September 19, 2025 at the prestigious National Diversity Awards in the stunning Liverpool Anglican Cathedral, hosted by broadcaster, author, presenter and journalist Clare Balding, CBE a renowned champion of diversity, inclusion and equity.

“I’m thrilled and deeply honoured to return as host for the National Diversity Awards,” says Clare Balding CBE. “Recognising the individuals, organisations and charities that go above and beyond to improve their communities is truly vital. These inspiring and uplifting awards shine a spotlight on the incredible strength and positivity of an inclusive society, celebrating community heroes whose dedication and achievements might otherwise go unrecognised.”

Our Chair of Trustees, Vikki Walton-Cole, received the award on Friday evening. Vikki says ‘What an absolute honour to accept the award for Community Organisation – Disability. This award reflects just how much The Coalition means to our members. A charity providing connection, opportunities and empowerment, we have gone from strength to strength’

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
• Entrepreneur of Excellence
• Diverse Company of the Year
• Celebrity of the Year
• Lifetime Achiever

The finalists in the Community Organisation: Disability category are: ADD-vance, Accessible Calderdale Disability Access Forum, GROVE Neurodivergent Mentoring & Education, Little Rainbows Doncaster, Pulp Friction, RAWD CIO, Surrey Coalition of Disabled People and West Yorkshire ADHD.

“The unsung heroes shortlisted in the National Diversity Awards help us to realise how much goodness and humility there is at the heart of our communities,” says Paul Sesay, CEO of Inclusive Companies and founder of the National Diversity Awards. “The work these people do and the empathy they show is more important than it has ever been.  We are living in a time when funding and support are limited which makes community action an invaluable resource on which so many people rely. Indeed, for some, it really is a lifeline.”

If you would like to become a member of The Coalition (it’s free) or know somebody that would benefit from getting involved, please do get in touch: Membership joining form – Surrey Coalition of Disabled People