This week, representatives from Northumbria Police and Percy Hedley’s Cadet Scheme brushed shoulders with some famous faces at the finals of the British Diversity Awards.

In January, Northumbria Police shared the news that the pioneering scheme in partnership with Percy Hedley Foundation was shortlisted for a prestigious British Diversity Award.

And subsequently, the programme was shortlisted as being amongst the top three in the running for Community Project of the Year.

The British Diversity Awards recognise and celebrate organisations and individuals who champion diversity and promote the values of equality and inclusion across the UK.

The award ceremony was held on Wednesday (March 22) in London and was jam-packed with celebrities who were more than keen to be papped with the cadets.

Although the scheme didn’t win the award, it is a fantastic accomplishment to be nominated, as more than 25,000 nominations were submitted, and the scheme made it to the final three.

The programme will continue to go from strength to strength and has been a welcome addition to a long-standing partnership between the two organisations.

Back in October 2022, the Force’s Chief Constable, Winton Keenen QPM DL, welcomed the newest police cadets from Percy Hedley College who have basked the extra attention of this nomination.

The cadets have voiced that they feel included and a part of Northumbria Police, which has been supporting disabled people across the North East for almost 70 years.

Northumbria Police Volunteers lead, Superintendent Claire Wheatley, said: “Every young person deserves the opportunity to thrive regardless of their background, so we were delighted to be involved in this partnership with Percy Hedley.

“Our volunteering work has always been about connecting communities to policing and policing to communities, and this partnership is a perfect example of that.

“I am extremely proud of all those involved with this landmark programme and the fact we were nominated and then shortlisted for a British Diversity Award was a lovely bonus.

“We were honoured to be amongst the final three considered for such a significant accolade and I am sure the cadets still feel like winners.”