Amazing people who help create and celebrate Britain's diversity were honoured at Liverpool's Anglican Cathedral.

The National Diversity Awards recognise the efforts of individuals and companies who strive to make the world a better and more diverse place.

28,543 people and organisations were nominated in this year's awards, with judges finding it incredibly difficult to whittle down the nominees into a shortlist.

The glittering event, hosted by actress and comedian Sally Phillips, was held on Friday evening at the cathedral, with guests served a stunning three-course meal while they heard about the truly extraordinary work that's been going on across the country this year.

Celebrities were also out in force at the event, with Levi Roots, Chris Kamara and Love Island's Gabby Allen among those handing out awards to the worthy nominees.

Awards were given across 15 categories, with Merseyside Youth Centre The Hive, which Prince Harry and Meghan Markle visited earlier this year, one of the organisations recognised.

Cllr Anna Rothery at the Diversity Awards at Liverpool's Anglican Cathedral. Pic: Sara Porter
Cllr Anna Rothery at the Diversity Awards at Liverpool's Anglican Cathedral. Pic: Sara Porter

The lifetime achievement award went to Rodney Hinds - sports editor of The Voice.

Rodney said that when he first started out in journalism he had to work incredibly hard to break in to the industry and that when he did there were hardly any other black journalists working alongside him,

But he said that things were slowly changing as he quoted singer Sam Cooke and said: "A change is gonna come." to rapturous applause.

Liverpool's first ever black mayor Anna Rothery spoke at the event, saying how proud she was to speak in front of those assembled and how Liverpool had always been a city that celebrated diversity.

And Liverpool-born founder and CEO of the awards Paul Sesay also gave a speech to the crowd, saying how everyone was a winner in his eyes.

The Anglican Cathedral hosted the Diversity Awards. Pic: Sara Porter
The Anglican Cathedral hosted the Diversity Awards. Pic: Sara Porter

Entertainment was provided by Jennifer Ellison's Jelli Studios, with dance performances and incredible solo performances going down well with the crowd.

X Factor finalists the LMA choir also performed, with a spine-tingling rendition of the Circle of Life being the highlight.

Full list of Diversity Award winners

Positive Role Model Award for Age: Emily White

12-year-old Emily has Spina Bifida, Hydrocephalus, Chiari malformation, Scoliosis, and autism.

Emily wanted to see people like her on TV and in books, so with the help of her dad she created ‘The Department of Ability Comic’, featuring five disabled superheroes with Emily as the leader!

Since then, Emily has become a campaigner, competing in a number of races, swimming events and raising nearly £4000.

Positive Role Model Award for Disability: Myles Sketchley

Myles was born with Schizencephaly, a rare brain defect that caused cerebral palsy, scoliosis, kyphosis and high muscle tone resulting in only being able to use one arm.

Wheelchair user Myles is also partially sighted and has overcome huge barriers having undergone surgeries including having his hips removed and major spinal surgery at just 9 months old.

Myles campaigns tirelessly for young people with disabilities and is the Youth Ambassador of Strongbones, a charity helping families and children with serious conditions of the bone.

He has developed a Vlog and social media network that has reached and helped thousands.

Positive Role Model Award for Gender: Jossy Cambridge-Simmons

Described as the UK’s leading ‘super manny’, Londoner Joss Cambridge-Simmons is taking modern childcare to the next level.

Joss is the founder of ‘Jossy Care’, the leading childcare service that has set tongues wagging.

Now frequently invited to deliver talks on topics such as male self-care, mental health, wellbeing, love, childcare and creating change,  Joss is defying the odds to give back to the next generation

Positive Role Model Award for LGBT

Patrick Ettenes is living with HIV and early onset, frontal lobe atrophy, dementia, the youngest person diagnosed in the UK with the particular diagnoses.

He has campaigned to raise understanding and awareness around these diseases and to bring about change in society to enable people to live better with them.

This includes as a member of 3 Nations Dementia Working Group, LGBT Foundation and founder of LGBT Dementia Network.

Positive Role Model Award for Race, Faith and Religion: Darryl Laycock

Darryl was previously a major player in gangs of Manchester having been shot on 3 occasions, stabbed 7 times and sentenced to 17 years jail.

Today, he’s a highly respected rehabilitated ex-offender who is passionate about educating children on the perils of crime.

Darryl has educated over 160,000 children and young people. 80% of his work is done free of charge and he travels across the UK to empower youngsters to follow their dream.

Entrepreneur of Excellence Award: Codilia Gapare

Codilia Gapare, an entrepreneurial breast cancer survivor, has revolutionised the beauty industry by creating the first ever false lashes range for chemotherapy patients.

Codilia transformed her idea into an actual product, ‘C Lashes’, and partnered with beauty brand Eylure.

The company have since released the range in Boots stores, making the cosmetic industry more accessible for women with cancer.

Celebrity of the Year: Sir Lenny Henry

One of the UK’s most popular entertainers of all time, Lenny Henry is renowned as a comedian, actor, writer and producer across TV, film, theatre and radio with a career spanning more than four decades.

Lenny released his New Millennium Blues album in 2016, with topical track ‘The cops don’t know’ reflecting on well-documented incidences of police brutality against black Americans, and the Black Lives Matter movement that was born in the wake of such injustices.

Lenny was honoured with a knighthood in 2015 for his work with Comic Relief. Throughout his career Lenny has championed BAME actors, slamming the lack of diversity in TV and continues to campaign for a sea-change in the industry’s approach to diversity.

Community Organisation Award for Age: The Hive Youth Zone

The Hive Youth Zone is a state-of-the-art facility for young people between the ages of 8-19 years, or up to 25 for those with a disability.

It is open every day of the year and provides a fun and inclusive facility for all young people, giving them the chance to experience a choice of at least 20 activities each session across a range of provision including: arts, media, sports, enterprise and employability.

 The Hive has c.4000 members welcoming up to 160 young people per night, of which on average 30% have disabilities.

Community Organisation Award for Disability: The Josephine and Jack project

Today sexual abuse against adults with learning disabilities continues to make the news. Back in 2004, a group of women with learning disabilities in Newcastle upon Tyne decided to do something about it.

Josephine and Jack are life-size anatomically accurate cloth figures who are used in workshops and one-to-one work with adults and young people with learning disabilities to discuss a range of issues such as health, well-being, relationships, sex and sexuality.

Community Organisation Award for Gender: Andy's Man Club

Andy Roberts was 23 years old when he died by suicide. The resultant devastation that hit his family was also followed by something more positive with his brother-in-law, professional rugby player Luke Ambler and Andy’s mum Elaine Roberts setting up Andy's Man Club.

In just three years, Andys Man Club has become one of the most important organisations working to help men today.

Last year they had 10,000 men use the groups with 20 volunteer led clubs situated across the UK.

Community Organisation Award for LGBT: CliniQ

CliniQ is the first ever holistic wellbeing and sexual health service for trans and non-binary people in UK and the rest of Europe.

Founded by trans people in 2012, their service is delivered and developed by trans and non-binary people.

Entirely run by volunteers, CliniQ have a therapy centre with 11 counsellors who offer relationship counselling, group therapy, acupuncture, yoga and peer support.

Community organisation Award for Race, Faith and Religion: Musicians in Exile - The Glasgow Barons

Musicians in Exile are a community project for asylum seeking and refugee musicians formed by The Glasgow Barons, an orchestra for Govan.

Through city wide flyering in Kurdish, Arabic, Farsi and English, and direct contact with agencies such as the Red Cross and Govan Community Project, they find asylum seeking musicians, offering travel expenses and weekly rehearsal space donated by Govan Housing Association.

Community Organisation Award for Multi-Strand: L6 Community Association

Operating in the heart of a community portraying high levels of deprivation and social need, Liverpool 6 exists to improve the lives of residents in the L6 area of Liverpool and beyond.

L6 offers free school uniforms, youth clubs, mother & baby support, services for the elderly, lunch clubs, education classes, free meals for children in poverty and much more.

Last year L6 supported 89,743 residents through their food bank, new clothes, christmas toy appeal, hampers, uniforms and raised £60,000 to support local schools to buy much needed equipment

Diverse Company Award: Specsavers

At Specsavers, everybody is somebody and they recognise that inclusivity, having a team that represents the broadest and most diverse spectrum of individuals and perspectives is vital.

They have a clear long-term vision, which is underpinned by the great mix of people that they have; people who, bringing unique skills and experiences can help deliver their plans.

It helps them to run the business better, to come up with better solutions to problems and better ways of working.

Lifetime Achievement Award: Rodney Hinds