Diversity and Inclusion Champion of The Year

Diversity and Inclusion Champion of the Year

2026

Diversity and Inclusion Champion of the Year Nominees

Positive Steps Limited mental-health team Nominated by: Ocean Bratley-Brown

A mental-health team which has helped an Islander rebuild her confidence and sense of belonging has been nominated for the Diversity and Inclusion Champion of the Year award.

Nominator Ocean Brat-ley-Brown said the Positive Steps Limited mental-health team had made an enormous difference to her life after leaving Orchard Ward, when she felt frightened, isolated and unsure whether she would ever feel like she belonged again.

She said the team had helped her rediscover her confidence and, most importantly, herself through its inclusive approach.

“From the moment I met them, they made me feel like I mattered,” Ms Bratley-Brown said. “They didn’t see a diagnosis, my struggles, or the things that made me different – they saw me as a person.”

She said the team welcomed everyone “without hesitation, without judgment, and with genuine warmth and kindness”, creating an environment in which people feel accepted rather than excluded.

Ms Bratley-Brown added that diversity and inclusion was “woven into everything they do”, with the team celebrating individuals’ uniqueness. “They have given me the confidence to be Ocean again,” she added.

Enable Jersey Nominated by: Angela Francey

A charity which helps Islanders with disabilities navigate everyday challenges and ensures that their voices are heard has been nominated for the Diversity and Inclusion Champion of the Year award.

Nominator Angela Francey praised Enable Jersey for going “above and beyond” to support people living with a wide range of disabilities. Ms Francey said the charity had helped people who previously felt isolated to feel included and involved, giving them a voice in how they manage everyday challenges.

She added that Enable Jersey provided practical support for those who needed additional help, including accompanying people on visits to Social Security.

Ms Francey said disabled Islanders often felt isolated when dealing with everyday tasks alongside physical and mental challenges, but Enable Jersey provides a “safe environment where all have a voice in a confidential surrounding from the minute they set foot in the building”.

Describing them as a “dream team”, Ms Francey gave a special mention to George, Sally and Danielle, members of the charity’s Voice Team, who she says regularly find “solutions to problems” that don’t yet exist.

Louise Hotton Nominated by: Charlotte Makin

A supportive co-ordinator who helps create a welcoming and inclusive environment for volunteers has been nominated for the Diversity and Inclusion Champion of the Year award.

Nominator Charlotte Makin said Louise Hotton, her co-ordinator at Acorn, had always been supportive of her neurodivergence and accepted her for who she was. Ms Makin said Ms Hotton made everyone who volunteered at the charity feel “so welcome and safe,” creating an environment where people felt happy and included. Before becoming Ms Makin’s co-ordinator, Ms Hotton was her tutor during.

She said Ms Hotton had made her feel at ease from her first day, explaining the different processes involved with the equipment in a way that was easy for her to understand.

Ms Makin added that Ms Hotton had also been particularly supportive of her mental wellbeing over the past six months, and had always been available to talk when needed. Describing Ms Hotton as “a superstar”, Ms Makin said her continued support, understanding and commitment to making others feel welcome made her a deserving nominee for the diversity and inclusion award.

Michelle Ollivro Nominated by: Marina Mauger

A learning support assistant for neurodivergent individuals and co-ordinator of the Ollivro Family and Friends Battle of Flowers Float has been nominated for Diversity and Inclusion Champion of the Year. Her nominator, Marina Mauger, said that Ms Ollivro was her teaching assistant for many years, and was always “reliable and dependent”, constantly providing support and always putting the needs of students first.

As well as her full-time roles, every year Ms Ollivro organises and co-ordinates the Ollivro Family and Friends’ Battle of Flowers float, which her nominator describes as “nothing like anything else on the Island that is championing for inclusion”.

The Battle of Flowers club has young neurodivergent people, elderly people and even toddlers working together to create the float. This year, Ms Ollivro had a spinning chair on the float for a neurodivergent young person, to aid concentration, and even wheelchair access. “It is truly amazing. I was incredibly impressed when I saw the float and Michelle has done this for many years with no concept that what she does is truly exceptional.”

Suzanne Day Nominated by: Hayley Kitts

A “passionate” champion for equality and inclusion” has been nominated for the Diversity and Inclusion Champion of the Year award. Suzanne Day was praised by her nominator Hayley Kitts for consistently working to ensure Islanders with disabilities can access the care, support and opportunities they deserve.

Ms Kitts said Ms Day had been instrumental in helping her son, who has severe learning disabilities, navigate health and social care systems and access the services he needed.

She said Ms Day’s knowledge, guidance and determination had helped the family overcome barriers that had at times seemed impossible, making a significant difference to both her son and the wider family.

Ms Kitts added that Ms Day had “an exceptional depth of knowledge about learning disabilities and the services available” and was always willing to share her expertise, signpost families to appropriate support and empower people to achieve the best possible quality of life.

Describing Ms Day as someone who could “advocate fearlessly while remaining kind, compassionate, and respectful”, Ms Kitts said she was unrelenting in challenging discrimination and inequality and in ensuring that “the voices of vulnerable individuals are heard and valued”.

Jersey Employment Trust Nominated by: Kenan Osborne

A charity which helps Islanders with disabilities, long-term health conditions and neurodiverse conditions find opportunities in work and life has been nominated for the Diversity and Inclusion Champion of the Year award.

Nominator Kenan Osborne said Jersey Employment Trust was a “remarkable champion of diversity and inclusion”, supporting hundreds of Islanders each year through specialist employment, training and development services. Mr Osborne said JET helped people build confidence, skills and independence while focusing on “ability rather than disability.”

He said mental health conditions, autism, ADHD and other long-term health conditions were among the most common reasons people sought support from JET, which continually adapted its services to help individuals overcome barriers and reach their potential. Through tailored support, vocational training and employment services, the charity helped people find meaningful employment while also developing confidence, purpose and a sense of belonging.

Mr Osborne added that JET was committed to “breaking down stigma and creating lasting change across Jersey”, working closely with employers to promote inclusive recruitment, job retention and supportive workplace practices. He said the charity was helping to create a Jersey “where talent is recognised in all its forms, where barriers are replaced with opportunities and where everyone has the chance to contribute and succeed.”

Mr Osborne said JET was “changing perceptions, opening doors” and added: “JET is not simply supporting change, it is leading it.” He said the charity’s work was helping to shape a fairer, more prosperous and more inclusive Jersey for future generations.