The Employer Award
Praxis
Praxis use of innovations is impressive. They use apps and technology to reduce pressures on a large and busy workforce, giving employees access to learning and information that supported their development, health and wellbeing at the touch of a button! Praxis is making a commitment to support their staff at every level from the front line to the board room.
The Newcomer Award
John Sheilds, Mainstay DRP
John has so much energy and passion to support people who have disabilities. He is a truly admirable man who works hard to ensure people with a learning disability have fantastic opportunities to lead a fulfilling life. He has made positive relationships with his service users and supported them to become part of the community. “Your Dad would be proud of you!”
The Support Worker Award (Community)
Tori McIntyre
Victoria was humble but passionate about the difference she is making every day. If all support workers were like Tori, we would not need managers or regulations! In a competitive category with high quality candidates Tor stood out and her passion and commitment were evident. Tori also understands the political social care system and echoes what her colleagues say; “Decision makers must start including autistic people and people with a learning disability so that we can all work towards better outcomes.”
The Support Worker Award (Supported Living and Residential)
Jenny Ward, Positive Futures
Jenny is someone who goes over and above in her role. She sees her colleagues and the people she supports as an extension of her family. Her dedication, passion and love for her job shone through.
The Frontline Leaders Award
Jolene Courtney Rowlands, Kilcreggan Homes
Jolene’s passion and positive approach was exceptional. We were so impressed with her commitment to ‘lead from the front’ and work alongside staff to support, encourage and positively challenge others. She demonstrated a reflective approach in terms of how to adapt and change, including times when things were not working well. Jolene outlined the support for one individual with Covid working 12 hour shifts for 10 days as part of a staff bubble and her account of ‘we did that, we got through together’ was both moving and inspiring.
The Manager Award
Rosemary Wray, Northern Health and Social Care Trust
Rose is truly inspirational and has a wealth of experience in the sector. She is a people person and was able to demonstrate great leadership skills . It is people like Rose that puts a smile on the face of others. Rose will go far in life!
The Making a Difference Award (Individual)
Philip Reain-Adair, Live Life Well-being Centre
Philip is entrepreneurial with a very creative and solution based thinking. He addressed a need within the community and innovatively created quality opportunities for service users in need. Philip has extensive knowledge in this area and has taken a very positive approach to challenging and addressing barriers in specialised provision. Philip should be extremely proud of the difference he has made to young people with disabilities and his community. Philip has been instrumental in the entire concept of this company and his commitment and dedication is driving him to develop this specialised provision. We believe he is making a huge difference to the lives of people with learning disabilities, autism and their families.
The Making a Difference Award (Team)
The Just Ask Project, Informing Choice NI
The Just Ask Project is a truly exceptional scheme that makes a real difference to the lives of people with learning disabilities. They focus on naturalising ‘taboo’ subjects (menstruation, puberty, consent, menopause, grief, loss etc) in a way that takes the sense of fear surrounding these subjects away to ultimately foster a culture of autonomy and empowerment in those they support. With a model that approaches these topics at all levels (government, policy, family, support networks, training and development and the individual themselves) the Just Ask Project is truly person centred and community based. It really does make a palpable difference every day and the project is much deserving of this award!
The Sporting Chance Award
Gerard Haughey and Grainne Connor, Stepping Stones NI
Gerard and Grainne demonstrate a clear passion for those they support through regular football sessions. Acutely aware of the connection between mind and body, as well as the holistic benefits of sport such as socialisation, self esteem and mental health they are much deserving winners of this award. Their focus on meditation within their practice makes their contribution particularly special, as players let of steam not only physically but emotionally. The bonds players make through the game provides a great space for exploring difficult emotions such as grief and loss, but also an upbeat and encouraging space for them to succeed. Great work!
The Breaking Down Barriers Award
Greg’s Team, Potens
This team blew us away. They go above and beyond to ensure the health and wellbeing of the individual they support. Their approach is truly person centred and innovative and as such the person they support has been able to live life to the full in the community instead of a hospital.
The Great Autism Practice Award
Kilcreggan Homes
The team at Kilcreggan are clearly passionate about delivering person-centred support and promoting inclusion within their local community. Their love for what they do shines through. It is fantastic to hear about innovative projects that ensure people with autism are accessing their community on an equal basis with others. Well done to everyone in Kilcreggan.
The Positive Behaviour Support Award
Mark Connolly, Mencap
Mark was very knowledgeable about PBS and had a clear passion of this work and his role at Mencap. He spoke very warmly about how it has supported individuals to make positive changes. The support and time that Mark gives to his colleagues in their roles was very impressive and valuable.
The People’s Award
Tell it Like It Is (TILII)
Led by and for people with a learning disability, the TILII Project is an impressive group advocating on a range of issues from health rights to safeguarding. TILII is making the world a better place for everyone, especially people with a learning disability. Well done TILII!
The Outstanding Contribution Award
Paula Jennings, Stepping Stones
We were impressed by Paula’s lifetime achievements in the leadership and development of Stepping Stones and particularly by her focus on people. In her words, “It is a privilege to give people opportunities to excel and it is important to treat people as people and leave all the other baggage at the door”. She is clearly an inspiring and passionate leader and fully deserves this award.