A night of fun, awards and glamour for Lancashire people with learning disabilities

Company news

May 11, 2015

People with learning disabilities from across Lancashire gathered together recently for a ball and to present awards to support workers who have given outstanding support and to service users who achieved successes, personally and in education.

A hundred people, supported by Care UK services in Preston, Chorley, Lancaster, Skelmesdale, and Blackburn were joined by their families, friends and support workers from across the county to enjoy a masquerade ball and to present awards to those who had gone the extra mile.

Tracie Gudgeon, Care UK’s locality manager, said: “It was a really great and inspirational evening. The award categories had been chosen by the Ball Committee, which is made up of service users and team members, who then presented the awards on the stage at Blackburn Rovers’ Ewood Park conference suite.

“The people using the service have learning disabilities, but more importantly they have a passion for life and a determination to follow their dreams and ambitions. Fortunately, we have a team who are dedicated to helping them achieve the things they set out to do and it was a wonderful night to celebrate everyone’s efforts and achievements.”

Among the award winners were Jo Lynd, from Burscough, who was named Lancashire support worker of the year; Michael Bailey, who received an award for his outstanding contribution at Care UK’s Stonethwaite service in Bamber Bridge and Louise Hull, from Square Lane, who was rewarded for her outstanding work tailoring care to individual needs.

The successes of those using the service were also celebrated, with Pat Morgan receiving the academic of the year award for her work at Skelmersdale College while Barry Poole, also from Skelmersdale, took the best support to the team award.

Sam Womack, from Copperfield in Clitheroe, took the outstanding contribution to the community while Yvonne Little’s outstanding contribution to the arts brought her an award too.

And last but not least, Calvin Smith from Ferndale, Walton le Dale, lifted the hero of the year award for coping so well with his illness and being strong during all his time in hospital. Glennis Downing, Calvin’s friend who accepted the award on his behalf said she was “so proud to be there” to do it for him.