Seven local businesses and organisations have just been awarded the Gloucestershire Inclusive Employer Award.

The award reflects their commitment to embracing and creating a culture where diverse groups of people feel valued, confident and able to be their best selves at work.

Over breakfast at Gloucester Services - an existing Inclusive Employer - awards were presented to:

• ProCook

• Active Gloucestershire

• Tricel

• Fair Shares

• Together in Matson

• IPS Employment Services Team, Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust

• GL11 Community Hub

Jason Dunsford, project manager of the GEM Project, which launched the awards last year, said: "All of the organisations who received their award have welcomed inclusivity and diversity as part of their working and employment practices, supporting candidates that, for a variety of reasons, have struggled to get into the workplace. By doing so, they are helping to create a sustainable future for inclusivity in the workplace, as well as reaping tangible benefits."

Sarah Wheatley, CSR and HR director from ProCook said: "We're delighted to have been recognised for embracing an inclusive culture at ProCook. Inclusive practices are beneficial to individuals, teams, businesses and communities, so for us holding inclusivity at the heart of everything we do just makes sense. We look forward to working with the GEM Project in the future and will continue to champion inclusion as our business grows."

Kenneth Kwogyenga, from Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust, said: "I believe this award will immensely lift the morale and enthusiasm of the team to keep working hard and it will hopefully resonate well with the entire trust for us achieving this."

Since 2017, the GEM Project, managed by Gloucestershire Gateway Trust on behalf of the lead organisation Gloucestershire County Council and funded by the European Social Fund and National Lottery Community Fund, has been working to support individuals in overcoming barriers preventing them from gaining education, training or work.

The Inclusivity Works initiative is aimed at employers, with the ambition of making Gloucestershire a beacon for inclusivity in the UK and helping employers to realise the benefits that inclusion in the workplace can bring.