The awards went to...

Individual

Sarah Bush
Sarh has single-handedly run a Disability Network for a large Government department (based in Liverpool) since 1998. She started with just six members and since then she has increased membership to over 250 through her own hard work and determination. When most people around her were apathetic, she could see how vitally important it was to empower disabled people. She is also involved with the local community. Sarah's work with disabled people is unsurpassable and her commitment is unwavering. She is an educator, a leader, an encourager, a listener, a counsellor and above all an inspiration to us all.

Employment & Services

5 Boroughs Partnership NHS Trust
The Trust has exceeded its mandatory obligations in various areas of Equality & Diversity. They have developed a Positive Action Employment Scheme for service users and carers, offering advice and support to people with Mental Health and Learning Disabilities. They have an established Equality & Diversity Team and excellent Occupational Health Department which works together in supporting the recruitment and retention of disabled staff, they also provide this service to over 30,000 staff from local businesses. Their expertise has assisted hundreds of disabled people to remain in employment.

Media

All Together Now! And Tom Dowling (Founder and Editor)
All Together Now! Is the North West's sparkling new magazine which highlights the ever increasing opportunities to help people with their independence. The editor, Tom Dowling is himself a wheelchair user. He previously wrote a column for the Liverpool Daily Post and Echo and edited the quarterly 'I Can Do That' magazine. When this was closed by the Trinity Group following a strategic business review he took the courageous decision to set up his own publishing venture only bigger and better. The ethos of the business is perhaps best summarised by its core message: For ANYONE who won't let ANYTHING get in the way. This certainly summarises Tom's determination to make his vision a reality.

Leisure/Accommodation

Bond Hotel
At the Bond Hotel they have made every effort to ensure that disabled people, their families and carers have an excellent holiday free from the stress and anxiety of mainstream holiday accommodation. With exemplary access, facilities and staff they lead the way in the field of access for all. The Bond Hotel received 9 nominations.

Leisure/Accommodation

Calvert Trust Kielder
Calvert Trust Kielder offers inclusive leisure facilities for disabled people and their families with accessible self catering chalets in an accessible woodland area. It has hoists in bedrooms, living rooms and toilets. Facilties include hydrotherapy, swimming pool, bar, sports activities including abseiling, handbikes, motor cruising, yachting and a zip wire. It offers great opportunities to try new things with staff who can support you with personal care and general support. It's simply great!

Employment

Central Cheshire Primary Care Trust
As part of the Trust's good corporate citizen strategy, the Trust has developed an employment strategy to encourage people with disabilities to gain employment within the Trust. During 2004, the Trust undertook a pilot programme with Rudheath High School. The programme attracted a number of young people with special needs, and the school has commented on how positive the programme has been in engaging young people when traditional educational routes had failed to engage them. From September 2005 the programme is being rolled out in 4 Schools in Central Cheshire.

Carer

Denise Shaw
As a carer/mother of two special need teenagers she is constantly on the go. Denise is chair of 'WASC' (Warrington Assosiation for Special Children), a support group for parents with special needs children. This year, in the absence of a paid co-ordinator due to sickness, Denise has been commited to ensuring WASC continues to provide playschemes during the scool holidays for local disabled children, all this has to be done in her 'spare' time! Her energy and zeal have helped individuals and the community for the past 20 years.

Voluntary/Charity

Disabled Living Manchester
Disabled Living Manchester organises the biggest children's equipment and information exhibitions in the country. This exhibition supports families with disabled children with the advice they need for their children to live more inclusive lives. Disabled Living Manchester received a second nomination for their Stlye Centre which offers image and confidence building to disabled young adults.

Individual

Gill Kenyon of The H Club
Gill has consistently made provision in the activities and courses on health and well-being to ensure that our two profoundly deaf parents can participate fully in all that we do. Gill ensures that everyone is included no matter what their ability or state of health. She undertakes home visits to people who can not get out. Gill has been an inspiration to many students that work with her. Her work involves carers and people with a wide range of disabilities.

Voluntary/Charity

Greenbank Project
Greenbank Project offers two key areas, Sports Academy and College. Each facility has been designed by disabled people for disabled people. The College offers car parking, lifts, wide corridors, accessible toilets, induction loop system and specialy trained staff. The Sports Academy offers some of the best accessible sports facilities in the UK and is often used as an example of good practice both Nationally and Internationally.

Employer

Lancashire Youth and Community Service
I am employed as County Equalities Coordinator by the Youth Service. They have made reasonable adaptations around my visual impairment. I developed a heart condition, they made more adaptations and when I fell down stairs and now have a mobility impairment, they made even more adaptations. They value me and my work and tell me so - I value them as a positive example of good employers.

Disabled Person

Martin Yates Independent Living Services
Martin has been responsible for developing Direct Payments in Blackpool. The scheme is inhouse and therefore Martin does not receive funding from the LA and has to single-handedly find the funding and manage the organisation which support disabled people in accessing their rights to Independent Living. Martin is a campaigner of disability rights and has assisted in the development of training and awareness around direct payments since they started in 1997. I admire his commitment to disabled people and as a disabled person himself, I admire his unselfish approach to empowering their lives.

Transport

Merseytravel
Mersey Travel have led the way in working towards access for all in transport. For over 10 years they have employed a specialist advisor to promote access and facilities to buses, taxis, trains. This work has included the infastructure of bus stops and stations.

Visitor Attraction

Norton Priory
The Norton Priory Trust have achieved integrating History into the modern era. They offer access to ancient History with car parking, ramped access to all parts of the site, accessible toilets, induction loop system, large print visitoror information and audio tour guide. Wheelchairs are available on free loan. Their staff are trianed to assist disabled people to get the most out of their visit.

Leisure

Oldham Colliseum Theatre
This theatre has a friendly atmosphere and staff that are only too happy to give assistance if required. Although parking can be a problem, on street parking is available 'Blue Badge Users'. Carers and Assistants gain free admission and there are 4 wheelchair accessible areas (more can be supplied with prior arrangement). Also BSL signers (see website) are available and loop system, accessible toilet facilities, apart from the above workshops are also undertaken and all are made welcome.

Service

Shelly's Restaurant
Michelle Butterworth was determined to ensure her small family style restaurant is as accessible and inclusive as possible. She has managed to provide access where many professionals told her it was impossible, and to commpliment this she offers menu's in braille and specialist cutlery for those with limited dexterity. It is this type of attention to detail and customer care (combined with cracking food) that can make a big difference to disabled people enjoying a simple night out.

Employer

Tesco (Warrington)
When Tesco was planning their new Super Store in Warrington they approached local voluntary orgnaisations to support them in recruiting local disabled people. 32 disabled people were selected and supported through recruitment and induction. Today, nearly two years after opening, the Store still employs 31 of the 32 people. It is obvious to visitors of the Store that Tesco's is truely an Equal Opportunities Employer. Tesco received a second nomination for their fully accessible website that is regularly used by the nominee who is blind.

Carer

Tom Carty
He has worked tirelessly for the Lancashire and Cheshire lupus Group as Supporter, Fundraiser and Chairman for almost twenty years. His work has been painstaking, supporting the cause from which his wife suffers. He is the kindest, most considerate man I have met and I would like to see him receive a Positive Action Award for 2005.

Visitor Attraction

Wildflower Centre
It is a unique facility with fantastic facilities for people with a range of different physical needs. Disabled people advised on the origional design, which has led to a very accessible, innovative and beautifully designed facility. You can enjoy a beautiful view on the roof top terrace or enjoy the accessible training rooms in the stable block. Great toilet facilities too!