As you know we were finalists in the National Learning Disabilities & Autism Awards 2016 for Great Autism Practice Award and Employer Award.
We didn’t win but thought you might want to see who did – thanks again to Laura and Cat for travelling to Birmingham to the event which was attended by 700 people and thanks to everyone who voted for us.
The winners of the National Learning Disabilities and Autism Awards, together with the judge’s comments are detailed below:
The Employer Award – Independent
Alison Rose-Quirie, Swanton Care and Community Ltd
Alison’s leadership skills have developed the business through big changes and installed a culture of positivity and effective working practices.
The Employer Award – Not For Profit
Lee Hendon & Wayne Hardiman, Jaffray Care Group
Lee Hendon & Wayne Hardiman were very passionate about Jaffray Care Group
The Employer of People with a Disability Award
Project Choice, Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospital
This project is something all organisations can do, it is the right thing to do and it makes a real difference to people’s lives and the organisation. This should happen on a national scale.
The Newcomer Award
Tasmin Jones, Lucy Glyn Support Services
A true Professional, Tasmin never stops learning and delivers her whole every day. A very Worthy Winner.
The Support Worker Award – Independent
Nigel Anderson, Pathway to Independence Springfield Healthcare
Nigel is very passionate about his role as support worker and has used his life skills to really develop and motivate others to become more independent.
The Support Worker Award – Not for Profit
Noel Brown, Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust
Noel has achieved some outstanding work with some of the clients he has supported with his service
The Manager Award
Loraine Atherton, RMP Care
Loraine is dedicated and passionate and gave many examples of how her service has made a difference in the lives of the people who use it.
The Senior Manager Award
Sara Woodall, The Accord Group
Sara heads up an innovative project creating meaningful employment for people with a learning disability. A truly inspiring and pioneering community service.
The Frontline Leaders Award
Katherine Dann, Beyond Limits
Katherine is passionate and person centred and we loved her enthusiasm and commitment to making a difference.
The Learning Disability Nurse Award
Andrew Birkenshaw, Bradford District Care Foundation Trust
He enables others to deliver a positive service to benefit the service user. He leads by example, is passionate and full of enthusiasm for his work.
The Making a Difference Award – Independent
Alison Owen, Speakup Self Advocacy
Alison has overcome her own challenges to influence and change for people with a learning disability. A passionate and inspirational individual who really has made a difference.
The Making a Difference Award – Organisation
SPICE, Future Directions CIC
SPICE – are outstanding in their passion to make a difference. Challenging society views and helping public services to have a better awareness of people with disabilities. They deserve whole heartedly to win this award in recognition of what they’ve achieved and what they continue to aspire too.
The Outstanding Contribution to Innovation Award
Rashmi Becker, University of Cambridge
Given the power of photography as a medium, Rashmi has captured moments that matter in the lives of people with a learning disability and autism.
The Trainer Award
Vicky Ackroyd, Purple Patch Arts
Creative, focused and committed to making a difference. Raising awareness of what people with learning disabilities can do with no limits!
The Supported Housing Award
Daniel Cross and Di Benden, Tolevan House, Advance
Di demonstrated how Tolevan has changed people’s lives. It offers an exceptionally well designed cluster of homes in Cornwall, with support that empowers people to live the life they choose.
The Breaking Down Barriers Award
RAID and PBS Implementation Team, Partnerships in Care
Challenging people and attitudes towards learning, disability within wider community but also individually. Inspiring people’s belief in themselves.
The Sporting Chance Award
The Dance Leader Team, Dance Syndrome
A creative energetic dance company committed to supporting people to build trust and relationships through dance and performing arts. The company trains dance leaders to cascade further opportunities for more people
The Supporting Older People with Learning Disabilities
The Selwyn Road Team, Outward
Stunning group of workers who clearly go the extra mile to make life enjoyable, in the most extreme circumstances Service Users needs are upheld and exceeded.
The Great Autism Practice Award
Wast Hills Autism Service, Danshell Healthcare Group
A passionate, person centred and outcome focused service that is delivering truly great innovative services and transforming the lives of the people they are working with.
The People’s Award
Sarah Offley, Dudley Voices for Choice Self Advocacy
Impressed us with and energy and enthusiasm with genuine desire to make lives better for people with learning disabilities and autism.
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The Outstanding Contribution Award
Lee Hendon, Jaffray Care
Lee has worked in the field of Learning Disabilities since 1987 when she qualified as an LD Nurse.
She is now Chief Executive of the Charity Jaffray care Group.
For almost 30 years her entire Career has been focused on improving the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities.
Lee was one of the pioneers of developing services that were responsible for implementing a philosophy of care so that people with a learning disability have a right to live in ordinary homes in the community and share the benefits and privileges of society.
She worked in complex health care for eight years as a LD Staff Nurse.
Lee felt so strongly that some people with people with a learning disability were not having their mental health needs so she trained in mental health to gain a better understanding of this
She also worked as a Nurse in a prison environment and worked hard for the rights of people with LD to be recognised within the system.
What Staff and Service Users love about her is that despite her business focus she insists on delivering training so she can interact and engage with front line staff.
Lets celebrate excellence in the learning disabilities sector and help it get the recognition it deserves
For information on the National Learning Disabilities awards visit http://www.nationalldawards.co.uk