Social Inclusion 2008

Working to break down social barriers and maximise the opportunities open to all members of society, this award is for campaigners who are tackling social disadvantage and inequality.

Sponsored by Shelter

Winner

Tara Flood

Alliance for Inclusive Education

Tara founded the We Know Inclusion Works campaign to highlight the importance of including disabled children in mainstream schools. Having personal experience of segregation in schooling, Tara has an insight into the effects of exclusion from mainstream life. The campaign's main objective is to create a united and influential voice that includes young people, their families, teachers and allies. Tara uses other people's stories to help increase awareness through media coverage.

Finalists

Mariam Kemple

Help the Aged

Mariam is a campaigner for Learning for life. The programme aims to provide older people in England with access to informal adult learning. The campaign believes that adult learning can dramatically improve the lives of older people by keeping their minds active, reduce isolation and provide health benefits. Mariam's objectives are to increase awareness of the campaign through Adult Learning Week that takes place every May.

Samantha Nicklin

The Children's Society

Samantha is working for Stand by Me, a campaign established by The Children's Society. The campaign believes that independent advocacy for disabled children will empower them in the decision making process to ensure that they receive the care they need. Stand by Me is lobbying national and local governments to encourage local authorities to have a statutory requirement to provide independent advocacy services by 2009. The campaign aims to support and train campaigners to influence local government and make their voices heard.

John Ward

Leeds No Borders

In 2005 John helped to set up the Leeds No Borders campaign that supports people who face detention and deportation by providing information, advice and by running anti-deportation campaigns. John, with his colleagues, created inventive and informative events to educate people on these issues. The main objective for this campaign is to approach and affect government policies on detention and deportation. John is committed to providing practical solidarity in the fight against deportation and associated poverty and racism created by the asylum system.