Businesses from across the county gathered together to celebrate the People First Awards this week in a first of its kind ceremony for Cumbria.
The ceremony, held at The Halston in Carlisle, celebrated the achievements of young people living with learning disabilities and saw over 200 businesses join learners, family and friends to mark achievements, hard-earned qualifications, and exciting new beginnings.
The event also showcased some of the local businesses who are already creating impactful learning and career opportunities for people with learning disabilities.
People First CEO, David Blacklock said: “It has been fantastic to see businesses, local leaders, families and of course our learners all connecting at this event.
“Seeing the progress that young people with learning difficulties can achieve when they’re given the chance is heartening. I really feel that when we work together, with commitment from all areas, we can make a real difference to people’s lives.
“Events like these awards shouldn’t be a rarity. Celebrating what we can do when we support each other to achieve should be a visible part of all our lives; and I’m hopeful that together we’ve taken a step towards that with the People First Awards.”
Matthew Dodd, of Borderway Finance, which was the headline sponsor, said: “We’ve worked with People First for just over a year now and we were delighted to be asked to be part of this event. Together we have been working to raise awareness of People First and the amazing work that they do in our area.
“The awards have been a great event and it’s been good to see such a buzz around building further awareness for the learners to try and help them get out into the wider world and gain real-life experience and opportunities.”
In addition to awarding the winners on this night, this year’s ceremony also saw the launch of an exciting new project which will change the way businesses work with people with learning difficulties for years to come.
Lynsey Buckle, head of development and partnerships at People First was one of two presenters on the night and said: “There are so few events like the People First Awards. It shouldn’t be the case, but all too often people with learning difficulties are undervalued and disempowered.
“What we’re looking to do is change things. We want to challenge the status quo, to help businesses find employees that have so much to offer; and help people with learning difficulties get the jobs that they want. These two things are one and the same.”
Winners
- Increased Confidence: Milli Kriese
- Most Improved: William Sewell
- Social Worker of the Year: Naomi Thornton
- Placement of the Year: The Halston
- Rising Star: Alfie Whittle
- Shining Example: John Watt & Son
- Learners’ Choice: Tom Graham
- ·Learner of the Year: Marcus Tiffin-Farrar
Graduates from the People First Learner’s Programme are: Cree Quilter, Tommy Kidd, Chris Armstrong, Tanya Ridgewell, Tom Graham, Odin Watson, Jonathan Solomons, Abi Ng, Marcus Tiffin-Farrar, Ricardo Mendes, Keith Atkinson and Kieran Little.
