Leaders Awards: meet the community self-advocates

Now in its seventh year, The Learning Disability and Autism Leaders Awards, hosted by Dimensions, celebrates self-advocates who have shown leadership in their lives and communities to drive positive change for people with learning disabilities and autistic people.

The awards, which were held in Sheffield, are divided into four sections: advocacy, policy and the media; local communities; sports, arts and entertainment; and work and education. A special recognition award was also named after the Dimensions trailblazer, Ann McCallum.

To mark Learning Disability Week, we will spotlight each section’s winners, starting with the Local Communities Award.

Meet Tess Kearny: campaigner

Tess Kearney is known as “Lady Tee” in her local area and won the Leaders Award after she helped make village life more inclusive.

It began when she attended a council meeting for a new farm development that promised a shop, campsite and more visitors.  However, more visitors meant more cars, and the narrow country lane to the new development would no longer be accessible to wheelchair users. Tess and her friends Alison and Alice, with whom she lived, would be excluded from the outdoor space they relied on for independence and well-being.

Though Tess doesn’t speak with words, she communicates clearly through gestures, signs and expression and she showed up at the meeting holding a card that read:

“Have you thought about my friends and I? We use wheelchairs!!! Be considerate. Tess, Alison, Alice.”

This brave action sparked change across the village. For example, the planning team for a new outdoor gym prioritised accessibility, and at the village funfair, Tess and her friends were offered a free stall to sell crafts and join the festivities.

Tess, Alice and Alison are now seen as vital voices in village life. Tess has been involved in awareness days and co-production forums, and is energised by the momentum.

The Judge said: ” Lady Tee, I love that you help people who use wheelchairs and have your voice heard. This also helps other people who don’t use words to have their voices heard. Your story made me feel good.”

Meet James Toll: volunteer at Age UK

James Toll won his award to celebrate his work as a volunteer at Age UK, where he helps run the naval veteran coffee morning in Plymouth. Every Tuesday, James is in charge of unlocking gates, letting people in, preparing teas/coffees/cakes, counting attendees, and reporting to his supervisor.

The judges were especially impressed that James walked two hours to help the naval veterans feel valued and listened to.

James has also taken training courses in dementia awareness and first aid. This has spurred him to enrol in a college course, and he is currently underway with his maths level one course.

Age UK said: “James is a fabulous volunteer. He helps with our Veterans Sticky Buns Morning and is always greeting veterans with a smile. He is on hand to help in any way that he can by making sure that the tea/coffee facilities are topped up, carrying the veterans’ refreshments to their tables.

“James makes sure that he enables our veterans to attend by opening the side gate to make their journey a little easier. Nothing is too much for James – he is always happy to help.

“James consistently goes above and beyond in his volunteering role; he has the biggest heart and smile. His commitment and selfless contributions have made a lasting difference, and we are incredibly fortunate to have him as part of our team.”

James, also recently nominated for the Sunshine Award, said: “Thank you for choosing me. I never thought my effort was being noticed, and I thought less of winning an award like this. I love supporting the veterans in the little way I can and I love doing my volunteer work happily. Thank you.”

Meet Alex McBride: charity champion

Alex McBride has been described as a charity champion because of the many fundraising and charity endeavours that he is involved in.

He won a Leaders Award for helping worthy causes such as Prostate Cancer Awareness, Support for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and Race for Life.

In addition to his charity work, Alex is also heavily involved in his local community and helps his neighbours clear overgrown gardens, move soil, and maintain a positive, can-do attitude. He is always on hand to lend a hand with the dog leash as he supports his neighbours and friends by walking their dogs.

Alex, who has ADHD and is assisted by a team of support workers to live independently, said: “I am extremely pleased and excited to have won an award, and I will continue with my challenges and achievements.”

Meet the Pulp Friction Growing Skills Team

Pulp Friction CIO is a charity based in the East Midlands that supports people with learning disabilities and autistic people to enter the world of work.

The Growing Skills Garden team won a Leaders Award after being selected by Project Giving Back to work with professional garden designers to create a garden for the Chelsea Flower Show.

Pulp Friction members were involved in every project stage, from producing a video application to interviewing and selecting the garden designers (Will and Tintin of Dutch Garden Designs). They also grew plants and made ceramic tiles for the Gabions, and they spoke to the public at the show about their work. They also helped relocate the garden to Stockhill Fire Station in Nottingham, keeping with the ‘Nothing about us, without us’ ethos.

Jill Carter, Chief Executive, said: “The Growing Skills Team gardening club, part of Pulp Friction CIO, worked with professional garden designers to create a stunning garden that was showcased at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in May 2024. The garden won a Silver-Gilt medal and the BBC People’s Choice Award, symbolising community collaboration with Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service.”

Alison Bloomer

Alison Bloomer is Editor of Learning Disability Today.

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