Nominated Date - 03-03-2020
Nominee Name - Carol Donohue
Nominee Service - Driving instructor

Nomination Details
Carol taught my older daughter (who has ASD and severe anxiety) to drive after a recommendation by another autistic friend who was taught by Carol. She was patient and good humoured, dealt with panic attacks calmly and helped my daughter to believe in herself and deal with anxious situations as well as learning to drive. She passed first time...
Carol now teaches my younger daughter (who has ASD, ADHD and anxiety). She is amazing with her, as my daughter can be a handful!
An example of what makes Carol special: on one day when she picked my daughter up from school for a lesson she immediately spotted that my daughter wasn't 'right'. She asked her about it and my daughter broke down. Carol supported her, rang me to tell me and drove her the half hour journey to our home, as she wasn't up to a lesson. Carol insisted on staying with my daughter until I was able to get home (even though my daughter was calm by then and both she and I assured Carol that she was okay alone) and refused to be paid for her time... That is way beyond the call of duty!

Nominated Date - 18-02-2020
Nominee Name - Beth Turner
Nominee Service - Headstart nursery

Nomination Details
Beth has gone above and beyond for my little boy , I already have an older child on the autistic spectrum at Sandon school who previously attended Headstart. The care they gave my first child who needs 24/7 one to one care was incredible . I moved here from Nottingham, without Head start I would not have coped .
When my youngest was put with Beth as his key worker she quickly picked up that he also is on the autistic spectrum . She got him all the reports, funding and care needed to be diagnosed before school in September this had been a huge relief and help for me as a parent . Without this nursery as a mum I feel I would not have managed with all of this .They are amazing caring and supportive .

Nominated Date - 30-04-2020
Nominee Name - Elizabeth Kilbon
Nominee Service - Little Miracles South Holland

Nomination Details
I wish to nominate Little Miracles South Holland for the Excellence Awards nomination.

The charity has been a great support to myself and my family through organising local support sessions, free play sessions, school holiday and activities and days out which includes the private hire of the Fun Farm and Castle Sports Complex.

Elizabeth Kilbon and Marc Kilbon are both amazing organisers. They have 3 adorable children, aged 2,10 and 9. Their son has additional needs and yet they have done so much for us all.

My eldest girl is non verbal Autistic and before we didn’t have a social network however now we attend all Friday sessions when Elizabeth and Marc both run a group session at Tonic Health, where us parents with children who have additional needs and disabilities can meet without risk of judgement or exclusion. They do an activity every week, so that the children have something to focus on with no pressure to join in, they are free to just come along and play. Also organising outings during school holidays such as Alton Towers, Skegness Aquarium and Legoland to name just some of them, these trips mean the world to us. As a non driving family we wouldn’t usually have access to days out like this otherwise, and Liz is also there to organise and get everyone through as a priority so that we do not need to wait in long queues which is so helpful when your child is unable to keep still for long. They also run a youth group for the older ones.

These sessions and trips also include the siblings so everything is based on the whole family which is so nice.

Since March with everything going on during lockdown all activities and sessions and outings have all been postponed which is a shame. But Liz and Marc have still worked to help all of us families.. Delivering packs to us weekly with craft items, food supplies, plant pots and bulbs and Easter eggs. They are both truly amazing and doing a fantastic job and both deserve a massive medal and to be nominated!

The support has continued online through the social distance period doing a group chat on zoom so we can all see and chat to each other. Online activities, links to learning resources, videos of how to use the craft materials and generally a casual message to check on everyone’s well being.

Little Miracles South Holland is not just a support group but like being part of a larger family which we are proud to be a part of and this is why we would like to nominate them for this award.

Nominated Date - 15-01-2020
Nominee Name - Tydd at Mary primary school
Nominee Service - Primary school

Nomination Details
All staff at the school have gone above and beyond their usual duties to ensure that my twin boys are settled, happy and are able to achieve their goals. The school has rearranged certain routines to help the boys, staff have stayed on after school hours without pay so the boys can enjoy after school clubs without anxiety. They have sincerely been interested in knowing the boys idiosyncrasies, their interests etc and have become a very valued part of the boys lives. It is extremely clear that the school staff care about the boys and they are not just a number.this school truly deserves recognition for their dedication,sincerity and enthusiasm to providing the best education to all children.

Nominated Date - 29-04-2020
Nominee Name - Verity Stow.
Nominee Service - Barbers

Nomination Details
We met Verity when my son was very small, and at the time due to sensory issues, he hated having his hair cut, it was very stressful for him, and going to a barbers was not a successful or pleasant experience for any of us.
Verity offered to come to our home and took as long as was needed to calm my son and cut his hair. This continued for 5 years, with Verity coming to cut my sons hair first thing in a morning before starting work at her barbers shop. Gradually due to her patience, and kindness he began to accept having a haircut on a regular basis without any tears or distress. Verity always brought him a little treat as a reward.
Due to the coronavirus lockdown we are unable to see her at the minute, but last weekend, he allowed me to cut his hair with the clippers which for him (and me) is a huge breakthrough. He was very proud of himself.
It would be lovely if Verity could receive your acknowledgement for her kindness, and perseverance. Thank You.

Nominated Date - 17-06-2020
Nominee Name - Jane Ramsay
Nominee Service - Kirkstone independent school

Nomination Details
Hi,
I would like to nominate Jane Ramsay. My son has had an awful year as from last September he hasn’t attended full time school more due to lack of understanding. He was put on a part time timetable as they couldn’t manage his needs. We put in for a parental EHCP for my son which has been an extremely long process. We went in search of a school that would understand his autism and make sure he could start learning, something that hasn’t worked in the last two mainstream schools and he is only 8!!
We thought out of the box and found Kirkstone house in Baston. We were accepted with open arms on a two week trial which he loved. He was supposed to start after Easter full time but due to COVID 19 this hasn’t been possible. Unfortunately he failed two risk assessments at his present school which he is still on roll at, so has been unable to go there dispite him having an ehcp. I have had to ask Mrs Ramsay for some support for him and again he has been welcomed with open arms!
I couldn’t thank her enough he finally feels he has found some small corner of acceptance and grows in confidence at every zoom meeting.
I feel she has gone above and beyond as my son isn’t yet on roll there.

Nominated Date - 11-06-2020
Nominee Name - Claire Moore & Nicky Jones
Nominee Service - The Garth School

Nomination Details
I am nominating 2 people.

Claire & Nicky always work so very hard at The Garth School in Spalding but the hours and commitment that they have both had to put in since the pandemic of COVID 19 they really have gone that extra mile for everyone because their priority is the children. From being able to work out which children could be in school, timetables, bubbles and the list goes on.

I have had lots of behaviour issues with my son and they have both been supporting me mentally as well as getting my son back after school after 7 weeks at home. They are working very closely with us as a family to help try and improve our life at home with various strategies.

I know they are both only a phone call away and will do anything they can in their power to help.

Everyone at The Garth is amazing in my opinion but both of them currently are true heroes.

Thanks for reading

Nominated Date - 02-07-2020
Nominee Name - Angela Pinchin
Nominee Service - Family liaison Bourne Westfield school

Nomination Details
Once lockdown commenced, about a week in I had a lovely email from Angela checking up to see if I was ok and if I needed anything to get in touch via email. About a week later I was in despair didn't know what to do I was really struggling with my daughter who has dyspraxia.

She emailed me back and asked if I would like her to call, my reply was a big yes. Angela has phoned every week since sometimes even twice a week speaking to me and my daughter if she wants to talk to her. Giving me helpful advice for my daughter, pointing me in the direction of help for me too.

Angela thinks of everything and always so helpful. Angela has always reminded me that I'm doing a great job.

I don't think I would have got through this without her.