KeshetUK shortlisted for Community Organisation: Race, Faith or Religion Award in 2025 National Diversity Awards

KeshetUK, the UK’s only LGBT+ Jewish education and training charity, has been shortlisted for the Community Organisation: Race, Faith or Religion Award in this year’s National Diversity Awards in association with HSBC UK. It’s a huge achievement to reach this stage as from over 85,000 nominees, 125 finalists in 10 categories have been named in recognition of their dedication to advancing equality, diversity and inclusion.

KeshetUK has been shortlisted in recognition of its groundbreaking work across the UK Jewish community, ensuring that no one is forced to choose between their Jewish and LGBT+ identities. Each year, KeshetUK engages with over 4,000 young people and works with hundreds of communities and organisations to educate, train, and empower individuals in Jewish LGBT+ inclusion. In addition to its impactful work in schools, synagogues, and communal spaces, KeshetUK partnered with the Office of the Chief Rabbi to produce a pioneering guide supporting the wellbeing of LGBT+ students in Orthodox Jewish schools—the first document of its kind globally. This landmark resource has had a profound and lasting impact on the lives of thousands of young LGBT+ Jews.

Now in their 14th 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. From these entries, the National Diversity Awards shortlist shows, once again, the indisputable and positive impact of society heroes standing up for equality.

Winners will be announced on September 19, 2025 at the prestigious National Diversity Awards 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."

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: Race, Faith or Religion category are: Academy Achievers, Europia, KeshetUK, Nubian Jak Community Trust, Spark Inside - The Black Hero’s Journey, The Amos Bursary, Wai Yin Society and The Mango Ensemble.

“Being shortlisted for the National Diversity Awards is both an incredible honour and a thrilling moment for all of us at KeshetUK. It reflects the unwavering dedication of our staff and volunteers, whose commitment drives everything we do. We’re deeply proud to be trusted by our community to lead this vital work—and this recognition affirms the meaningful difference we’re making together.”– Ariel Chapman, Executive Director of KeshetUK.

“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.”