ORGANISED BY
Warrington Disability Partnership
SUPPORTED BY
Northwest Regional Development Agency
Investing in England Northwest
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
Disability Awareness Day
The awards went to...
Special thanks to the NWDA for their continued support of the awards.
We would also like to thank Sainsbury's - Warrington and Warrington Worldwide for donating the table wine for the event.
Asda - Radcliffe
The winners of our first award this year represent the large employer category. Their nomination was received from a member of staff employed by Bury Employment, Support and Training which says a lot about the organisation. They said that our winners are very supportive of the work they do with disabled people and are pro active in developing the opportunities they provide. They are always very accommodating, providing them with work experience opportunities where disabled people can assess whether they are ready to return to work or in some cases take on their first job. They prove that low low prices doesn't result in low rates of care for their employees.
http://www.asda.co.uk/corp/home.html
Cheshire West and Chester Disabled Children's Team
A volunteer working with our next winners described their work as "simply amazing". Focusing on involving disabled children in both indoor and outdoor group activities. They hold events such as 'BUZZ HAS GOT TALENT' and a youth club aimed at having fun in a friendly environment. To see the smiles on the children's faces is mesmerising. The nominator put the team forward for all of their hard work which has helped many young disabled people build new relationships and experience new environments.
Wymott Prison in Leyland, Preston
The disabled people involved with our next winners have often been described as "the forgotten group". But, after several discussions with this group they support this nomination. They said that our winners are proactive in efforts to address the needs of disabled people. Providing access to all areas isn't straight forward and disclosure of a disability could be seen as a weakness that others could exploit. But through the commitment of staff these barriers are being overcome. Two experienced carers are employed to assist gymnasium staff, who have specially designed a fitness program accessible to all and awareness training has brought a new insight to staff.
It has been said that the old institutions are the hardest to change but our winners have found some of the answers.
Workbase from Cumbria
The nominator of this winner is an Occupational Therapist who refers people to their service. She said that staff and clients work together to nurture and develop each individual's strengths and abilities. Disabled people thrive under the staffs patient, positive care and mutual support. They assist people recovering from severe mental health problems to return to employment, education and training. Meaningful work activity in the print-shop, craft-shop, reception, kitchen and garden enable them to learn new skills, improve old ones and gain self confidence and esteem. The atmosphere is best described as remarkably optimistic and welcoming.
Claire Pritchard from Coffee Aroma, Birkenhead (Wirral)
Claire works for a small employer that has for many years, provided placements and part-time paid employment for disabled people. Her patience, hard work and enthusiasm has given people the confidence and skills that they had previously never had. She has never refused anybody the opportunity to fulfil their dreams. An example to all small employers that they can make a difference.
The Everton Foundation
It's often said that sport can help bring people together, male and female, young and old, and all levels of ability. The winners of our next award are recognised for building the biggest football development programmes in the world. They provide free physical activity and coaching sessions within schools for disabled children across Merseyside. They also deliver 10 after school clubs for disabled children and support 12 disabled football teams - this includes teams for both genders and all age groups. They have developed soccer camps for children of all abilities. They are the only club that provides football opportunities for every major impairment group. Empowering disabled people through mentoring, providing work placements, volunteering opportunities and by providing full and part time paid work.
Mark Hill from Chorley
Mark's day job is to help disabled people with learning difficulties to gain employment. But in the evenings he runs a Drama Society called Dream Makers, which aims to build self confidence, communication skills & social skills for disabled artists.
One nominator described him as very charismatic & his cheeky side shines during his stage performances.
Kidz2gether from Bolton
This Charity has been described as "one of it's kind in the country". It provides tailor made groups, clubs and activities for children and young people on the Autistic Spectrum. Autism is on the whole a much maligned and mostly ignored life long disability and our first winners are working hard to raise awareness, increase tolerance and understanding. They offer invaluable support to families - both pre and post diagnosis and never turn eligible children away. Currently they support some 250 families in their area and are about to expand into Chorley, Leyland, Kendal and York, where they will help set up similar services. They teach invaluable life and social skills and help the youngsters understand and grow to their full potential.
Eileen McDonald from Warrington
She is actively involved with and attends many different groups regarding physical and mental long term health conditions. She facilitates user-led self management programmes, helping people to cope with day to day life. She is an active member of Arthritis Care, a trustee of Warrington Carers Centre and sits on the Carers Partnership Board, the Young Carers Strategic Project Board and the Warrington LINk Core Group. She's involved in various mental health forums and is always willing to help. She does all of this voluntarily whilst dealing with her own long term health condition.
Rick Stubbs from Bury
Rick is an individual who has been nominated to receive an award by members of Streetwise 2000. Not only does he run a music group for the young people he has recently helped them to build their own website.
The staff at, Streetwise 2000, are truly grateful to Rick who they rely on regularly to come and fix their computers which they need to run their organisation. He always comes to the rescue without complaining and has been named their "computer genius in shining armour"
Streetwise 2000 from Bury
Our panel of judges felt that they could have shortlisted several members of this group, but felt that it was fairer to acknowledge the organisation as a whole. Their music group helps them to develop new skills, their own web site supports people who are very isolated and encourages them to get them out and about. Their group of young volunteers have undergone extensive training and are now helping to change the lives of other young people. The volunteers give their time for free even though some have full time jobs or education.
Salford Young Carers Forum
It's suggested that without carers, society would grind to a halt and health and social care services wouldn't cope with demand. Young carers are often overlooked, but not by the people they support. We have set ourselves a theme tonight because once again we are recognising the part young people are undertaking in the North West. Individually, members of this group each have their stories to tell, but together they are a formidable force who support each other and are determined to ensure that health and social care professionals working with young carers develop the support systems that are relevant to meeting their individual and collective needs as young people.
Halton Zipper Club
Speaking to other people who have and are going through similar life changes to ourselves can make a real difference. Halton Zipper Club give support, reassurance and advice to cardiac patients, their families and carers. Many people find that life after a heart attack or the discovery of other heart problems is an extremely worrying time. But our winners know the answer - self help and mutual support; with regular meetings, outings, social events, fun activities, exercise classes, demonstrations and speakers. On a more individual basis, members support each other by sharing information and experiences and signposting to other services.
Nick Toon & Mary Brooks - Eurest Catering
This winner was described as "going the extra mile" to support disabled employees and others on work placements - lets not forget that work placements offer some disabled people a chance to build their confidence and prepare for open employment. We realise that it takes leaders to pave the way to make it meaningful.
Liverpool ONE
For those of us who have visited one of our old towns or cities you will know how difficult it is to provide access for all, especially for people with mobility impairments.
Through the involvement of disabled people in the design of one of the UK's top 5 retail and leisure developments which cost over £1billion the winners of our final award ensured that they did everything they could to make the facilities suitable to everyone.
With car parking that includes a Shopmobility scheme, lifts to all areas, plenty of accessible toilets, clear and accessible signage, an information point with a low counter and an induction loop they have ensured that shoppers and other visitors will return for more.
I'm sure that our Everton colleagues won't mind me mentioning that their souvenirs shop is known as Everton 2, which is in line with the Liverpool 1 sign adjacent to the reds souvenirs store.
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