The awards went to...

Special thanks to the NWDA for their continued support of the awards.

We would also like to thank Barclays Citroen and Nuclear Management Partners for donating the table wine for the event.

BETA Netc@fe from Wigan
This worthy project offers disabled adults access to computers and also helps with job search, CV's, application forms and entrance tests. Disabled adults are supported in developing independent living skills, encouraging self-reliance and self-confidence. ABILITY, not disability, is their main focus.
www.betanetcafe.co.uk

Active Community Enterprise from Prescott
The next winners have achieved amazing results over a very short period of time and continue to devote their time and energy to improve the lives of people with learning difficulties. Organising events and activities, and supporting employment and training opportunities, they are 100% committed.
www.activecommunityenterprise.com/

Laser Wars UK – from Penrith
This nominee deserves recognition for their foresight in planning. They identified the lack of accessible facilities for disabled children in the local area. This has resulted in a fully accessible leisure facility for children with a wide range of disabilities. But not just wheelchair access, they offer sessions where the lighting is raised which enabled children with visual impairments to participate. This is an amazing new venture which we are proud to recognise with an award.
www.laserarena.co.uk/

Diverse Road Safety from Liverpool
This nominee believes that with the right training and guidance, most people are able to learn how to drive and gain independence and confidence. The nominator is full of praise for this organisation which not only gave her driving lessons but also helped her to get on courses for ADHD and dyslexia. With this help she has now been able to access support and improve her and her son's life.
www.diverseroadsafety.org.uk/

5 Boroughs Partnership NHS Foundation Trust- Stamp out Stigma campaign
Many of you will have heard the use of derogatory words and phrases such as ‘nutter’, ‘loony’ and ‘weirdo’ used in our society. This is totally unacceptable and leaves people with mental health issues feeling unhappy and misunderstood.

This nominee’s response was to launch a petition on April Fool’s Day which carried the hard-hitting message: ‘Sticks and stones may break my bones but words also hurt me’. They set a very ambitious target of getting 100,000 signatures to sign up to a campaign, and so far 23,000 people have signed up. The campaign has helped create more than one million opportunities for local people to view stories which portray people with mental ill health and learning disabilities in a positive way. The implication of this is that local people will be more likely to help our service users recover in a better informed, more understanding community. One service user comments, “I wouldn’t be ashamed to say I have a broken leg so why should I feel ashamed to say I have Schizophrenia? I hope that signing the petition will deter people from using hurtful words.
www.5bp.nhs.uk

Abby Yates of Knowsley Aiming High for Disabled Children Programme
The nomination was received from a member of staff employed by the Knowsley Aiming High for Disabled Children Programme. The winner is totally unselfish in her support for disabled children. Her innate empathy and understanding helps to gain the trust and confidence of children and their parents. She attends inclusive play schemes and ensures disabled children are included, encouraged and engaged in activities.

Crossroads Caring for Carers - Isle of Man
It is well recognised that when the care and support of a disabled teenager is transferred to adult services it is an anxious time for them and their family. The recent service development of the next nominee has given a fantastic boost locally for parent carers worried about what will happen to their child when education finishes. The project works on building self esteem for children and young people with learning difficulties and is followed up by a social enterprise project providing employment based training and fostering independence

Compassion in Action based in Wigan
Our winners are a great example of what the voluntary sector has to offer. The nominee is a community outreach charity that provides an invaluable support service to people in the community who are experiencing domestic violence, mental illness, economic difficulties, teenage parents, disabled individuals and the terminally ill. It provides counselling, training and support. All the services are delivered by volunteers and it’s FREE

Aintree Hospitals - Volunteer Programme
This nominee runs a very successful volunteers programme. The manager’s enthusiasm and encouragement helps the volunteers understand that they have a very valuable asset. The volunteers gain genuine work experience which, as a disabled person, is often difficult to get. The nominee is excellent at seeing the potential in volunteers of all disabilities and can guide them into the appropriate work area. This gives the individual much needed self confidence and makes their lives much more interesting and fulfilling.

Start in Salford
The nominee is an arts and wellbeing charity that promotes emotional and mental wellbeing, recovery and social inclusion for people of all ages within the local community. The charity works specifically with some of the most excluded, deprived and hard to reach groups and individuals using arts based training and creative activities as the vehicle to enable personal development and learning. Many of the individuals who access the services have serious long term mental health issues and very low levels of self esteem. This service provides learners with an environment to raise aspirations, self confidence, self esteem and self worth. It also helps to develop social skills & social interaction with others which can lead to new opportunities through pathways to volunteering and/or employment. This nominee has really made a difference to the local community

The National Trust (Alderley Edge)
The winners provide students with learning difficulties and associated illness work experience placements. The partnership is a fine example of a 'win win' situation. Suitable tasks for the students are arranged, for example, footpath construction and maintenance. These are measurable results, what isn't quantifiable is the enormous moral boost the students get whilst enjoying themselves and getting the work done. This partnership of volunteers and rangers achieve amazing results . Long may this partnership continue.

Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS foundation Trust
This organisation is being nominated for their outstanding contribution to employment opportunities for learners who have a Learning Disability. Part of the project allows students to work in their chosen field for a period of 6-8 weeks to gain experience. The success from this partnership has led to students undertaking voluntary placements within different departments. For example - domestic services, catering, portering and clerical duties. The workforce offer fantastic support, showing empathy, realism, understanding and dedication so that the students’ employment experience is meaningful and worthwhile. The confidence and self respect gained by these young people during and after the course is clear to anyone who sees and talks to them.

M & Y Joinery from St Helens
This nominee never imagined how life changing employing someone with learning difficulties would be for their business. Enthusiastic, determined, endearing and inspirational are the words attributed to 2 of their staff with learning difficulties. They are regarded as a valued asset and the effect their presence has had on staff and clients is exceptional. This company would encourage all businesses to consider employing someone with learning difficulties as it is a win win situation and a truly rewarding experience.

Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
This nominee has an incredible passion for getting care right for people with learning disabilities who become patients. Every opportunity is taken to better understand their specific needs. These are then recorded in a fully accessible “patient passport” that is used to communicate individual needs to staff caring for the patient when they are admitted. The care and dignity given to patients is excellent.

Ella Together Performance Group from Runcorn
The winner has an inclusive membership that positively promotes people with a learning disability. The commitment and courage shown by its members is exceptional. They encourage and support each other to achieve and overcome many obstacles and barriers. The sheer dedication of the group has challenged the preconceptions of people with a learning disability within the community.

They are simply the best!
www.ellatogether.co.uk/