Achievements of people with learning disabilities celebrated at Edinburgh awards ceremony
A range of people with learning disabilities, and those who support them, were honoured at Scotland’s Learning Disability Awards, held in Edinburgh, this past week.
The Learning Disability Awards are run by the Scottish Commission for Learning Disability and provide an opportunity to celebrate, on a national level, the rarely heard stories and achievements of people with learning disabilities and those who support them.
Focusing on what people with learning disabilities can and do achieve, awards were presented in eight categories: Sport Achievement, Creative Talent, Community Champion, Enterprise, Skills and Learning, Support in Work, Support Worker, and Family Carer. The awards ceremony was hosted by journalist, Rona Dougall (pictured, left) and keynote remarks were delivered by the Minister for Social Security, Jeane Freeman MSP (pictured, right).
Speaking about the night, Chris Creegan, Chief Executive of SCLD, said: “We established these awards for people with learning disabilities – and the people who work with and for them – to recognise achievement all too often missed.
“We witnessed stories of talent, skill and creativity. We saw the pride and confidence that recognition brings. And we heard loud and clear that people with learning disabilities want to – and can – contribute to Scottish society.”
The full list of finalists were:
Enterprise Award
- Highly commended – Lifeskills Plus Students
- Winner– COPE Ltd
Sport Achievement
- Highly commended – Amy Currie
- Winner – Andrew Macintyre
Support in Work
- Highly commended – Jim Wylie
- Winner – Louise Stevenson
Community Champion
- Highly commended – William Rae
- Highly commended – The National Involvement Network
- Winner – Shopping Buddies
Support Worker
- Highly commended – Murray Alexander
- Winner – Hannah Elliott
Creative Talent
- Highly commended – Jonathan McKinstry
- Winner – Lewis Drummond
Family Carer (one finalist in this category)
- Winners – Kate and Jenny Sanger
Skills and Learning
- Highly commended – Rickie Ballingall
- Winner – HD Training Company
More information about the awards, as well as photos and videos can be found here.
