Double win at National LD Awards

Community Integrated Care is proud to celebrate winning two prestigious accolades at the National Learning Disabilities and Autism awards on Friday (30th June).

Hosted by Care Talk Magazine, the awards recognise excellence in supporting people with learning disabilities and autism, honouring people and groups who provide exceptional care.

Our charity’s Sports Inclusion Assistant, Matt Price, was delighted to take home the Care Newcomer Award, celebrating an outstanding individual new to the social care sector.

The award recognises Matt’s aspirational achievements since starting his role at Community Integrated Care in 2022. This has included supporting thousands of people to get involved with the Rugby League World Cup 2021, mentoring people through an online media club to gain qualifications and practise their talents, starring in an accessible exercise video for a national campaign with Sport England, and coordinating a life-changing experience for people with learning disabilities to enjoy a sports day with the England stars.

Also scoring an award on the evening was our charity’s Inclusive Volunteering Programme in partnership with Sport England, Rugby League World Cup 2021, UEFA Women’s EURO 2022, and World Gymnastics Championships 2022.

The ground-breaking programme has already enabled more than 600 people with learning disabilities to access world-class support, mentoring, and vocational volunteering opportunities, inspired by and delivered at international sporting events.

We were also proud to be amongst the finalists for the Employer Award and the Breaking Down Barriers Award for our team of Quality Advisors.

On winning his award, Matt Price said, “It was an incredible feeling when they announced I had won – I couldn’t believe it. I am so proud and really grateful for my team who have supported me to believe in myself and to get to where I am today.”

He continued, “I absolutely love my job – I’ve gotten to make so many new friends, learn so many new skills, take part in some really exciting experiences, and most importantly, change people’s lives. To be named as Newcomer of the Year for supporting people with learning disabilities means so much to me. I hope it will also inspire other people with learning disabilities to try new things and believe in themselves too.”

John Hughes, Director of Partnerships and Communities at Community Integrated Care, said, “From volunteering with our charity to being recognised as the best Newcomer of the Year in the social care sector, it has been wonderful to see Matt’s journey and his impact on those around him – we are incredibly proud of him. This award is so well-deserved and a testament to Matt’s passion and commitment to developing in his career and making a real impact on peoples’ lives. I can’t wait to see the incredible things he will undoubtedly achieve in the future.”

“We are also thrilled to have been awarded the Sporting Chance accolade for our ground-breaking Inclusive Volunteering Programme. As a social care charity, inclusion and empowerment are of at the heart of everything we do and it has been incredible to see the impact that this programme has had already. We’ve provided hundreds of people who access social care with exciting opportunities, new skills and a supportive community where they can dare to dream.”

“We’d like to say a huge thank you to Sport England, Rugby League World Cup 2021, UEFA Women’s EURO 2022, and World Gymnastics Championships 2022 for supporting our vision, championing disability inclusion and creating life-changing experiences that really do support people to live the best lives possible.”

Community Integrated Care employs 5,000 colleagues nationally. To find out more about our charity’s current vacancies, and what it’s like to work for Community Integrated Care, visit www.workincare.co.uk