Affinity Trust shortlisted for sector awards

Affinity Trust has been shortlisted for six National Learning Disability and Autism Awards, one of the highest tallies of any organisation.

The awards celebrate excellence in support for people with learning disabilities and autism, and aim to pay tribute to individuals, teams and organisations that excel in providing quality care.

The shortlisting came after the nominees were quizzed by a panel of expert judges in Birmingham in May.

The finalists include Claire Martin from Ayr. Claire, who supports two brothers in their sixties, has been shortlisted for the Support Worker Award. Operations Manager Nicola McCubbin says: “It is a pleasure to see Claire when she is offering support, which she does with respect, dignity and fun”.

Also nominated are Liz Ashby, a Team Leader from Kent (now Sheffield-based), and teams from Ash in Surrey, Herne Bay in Kent, and Score Community Opportunities in Hereford.

Matthew from Dunstable is shortlisted for the People’s Award, which recognises individual achievement by a person with autism or a learning disability.

Matthew, his support team, and the other Affinity Trust hopefuls will join representatives of more than 100 social care organisations at the black-tie dinner at Birmingham’s ICC on Friday. The awards will be presented by actor, comedian and campaigner Sally Phillips, who has a son with Down Syndrome.

Also attending the gala dinner is Victoria Neish, Affinity Trust’s Director of Operations and Quality, who says: “To be shortlisted in six categories is a tribute to the commitment of our staff teams, who regularly go the extra mile for the people we support. Particular congratulations to Matthew for his inclusion on the shortlist for the People’s Award.”