Celebrating achievements with People First

Businesses from across the county gathered to celebrate the People First Awards this week in a unique awards ceremony for Cumbria.

The ceremony, held at The Halston in Carlisle yesterday, celebrated the achievements of young people with learning disabilities and autistic people. It saw over 200 guests join learners, family and friends to mark achievements, hard-earned qualifications, and exciting new beginnings.

The event also launched a new and innovative initiative, Creating Careers which aims to support 200 people with a learning disability and autism secure and succeed in permanent paid work over the next three years.

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.

“The world and the workplace is a better place when we all get to be a part of it. Events like this shine a light on the successes that people with learning disabilities and autistic people can achieve when they are given opportunity.”

“With the support of the National Lottery Community Fund, and a community of partners, I am excited to see what our new Creating Careers project can do to help people achieve their goals and transform their lives through work.’

Mike Deans, of headline sponsor Borderway Finance, said: “We’ve worked with People First for over two years 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.”

Headline Sponsor Borderway Finance, Co-host Lou Townson, Terri Greaves Open Awards

Creating Careers is funded by The National Lottery Community fund and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and other partners. It’s a new approach to supported employment which puts partnership with local businesses at its heart.

Lindsay Graham, People First director and co-host of the awards, said: “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 disabilities and autistic people get the jobs that they want. These two things are one and the same.”

Emma Skelton Warwick Mill Business Centre, Abigal Crooks

Lou Townson, trustee of People First and co-presenter of the awards added: “I really enjoyed the event, and it has been wonderful to see so many businesses in attendance supporting the learners and People First staff.

I felt very proud when I was asked to co-host the event with Lindsay and to see so many of the learners building confidence and be where they are now I think is fantastic.”