Winner
Nominated Date - 09-06-2018
Nominee Name - Nikki durham
Nominee Service - Class teacher, Morton primary school

Nomination Details
Mrs Durham has gone out of her way to support my children, one in her class and one not. She has supported us through the EHC Plan process.

She has been a one to one for my son in many situations as well as managing a large class. She has also supported us as a family and taken on board my needs.

She has introduced autism awareness to the school where there was previously very little and she has stood up amongst staff where there was differing views.

I cannot fault her in anyway. She has transformed my son, our lives and the school approach.

2nd Place
Nominated Date - 17-06-2018
Nominee Name - LPCF
Nominee Service - Help parents and carers

Nomination Details
I would like to nominate the LPCF group and all their volunteers for their total commitment to helping parents and carers through their organisation.

Reading your annual report reveals just how much time and effort you all give for the benefit of others - it's truly amazing.

In particular I would like to praise you for your efforts in the recent proposed review to SEND schooling in Special schools.

Thank you for being there for parents and making sure our views are heard in places we parents could not individually achieve.

Keep up the good work - it is appreciated - although I wish more people would tell organisations and workers / volunteers like yourselves.

Winner
Nominated Date - 26-10-2018
Nominee Name - Shannon Picker
Nominee Service - My son’s horse trainer since he was 5 years old - now aged 8

Nomination Details
My son's horse trainer since he was 5 years old - now aged 8 Shannon is by far my favourite coach of any kind. She has such an amazing positive attitude and is never grumpy or down. She has given me the confidence to ride after a 30 year break. She has coached my sensory impaired son with such amazing attitude. She is the kindest most lovely young woman.

A few years ago she lost her 30 something brother in a tragic car accident. It was the same date a year on from having to have her beloved pony put down.

She had arrived home and found the whole family looking solemn and was touched they remembered the anniversary only to be told the news of her brother, who left a wife and two young children.

The accident had occurred just a few yards from the stables she works full-time at, by a small tree which always has orange ribbons attached to it - the colour orange is the colour of his beloved car the accident happened in.

2nd Place
Nominated Date - 30-11-2018
Nominee Name - Julie Vincent (CWD social worker - Lincolnshire)
Nominee Service - Social Care Support

Nomination Details
Julie first met us when we were in crisis. Over 3 years, she identified and prioritised my son's needs and empowered me to stand up for these when faced with professionals all focusing on their individual agendas.

She has helped us to establish life beyond the difficulties but above all, she has been there.

All any of us needs when struggling to carry on the fight and see beyond the immediate crisis, is for someone to be there for us so that we can be there for our children and this is what Julie has done; responded to the desperate emails and phone calls, listened patiently to the endless outpourings of someone unsure which way to turn and then calmly and supportively put them back on track to fight another day.

I can only imagine the pressure with which she is faced on a daily basis, but each time, she responds quickly, supportively and with the amazing illusion that she has all the time in the world to work through things with us.

I dread to think where we would be without her and will be eternally grateful.

3rd Place
Nominated Date - 19-07-2018
Nominee Name - Amanda lambert LCA CHEER LEADERS
Nominee Service - Amanda is my daughter Shelbys cheer leading coach

Nomination Details
I don't know where to start, my daughter has DS along with other social difficulties. She started at LCA around a year ago & was welcomed by Amanda & LCA with open arms. My daughter has health issues with her heart but Amanda always ensures she has breaks & rests.

Amanda has brought so much confidence out in my daughter that she is competing in Cheer Comps and Winning, she was just crowned ICE QUEEN 2018 at a Cheer comp in Wales. Amanda enriches lots of children's life's at LCA & is also bringing something to our local community.

Amanda's dream is to have a Spectacular Special Athlete team in the future as she believes just like us EVERYONE is capable of achieving. Amanda always ensures my daughter is included by everyone.

Amanda has the patience of a saint and I would love for her to be noticed for what she has done not only for my daughter but for a lot of children & young adults in Grantham.

Nominated Date - 19-07-2018
Nominee Name - Mandy Sylvester - Portage worker - Eresby School
Nominee Service - Portage - 0-5 years service

Nomination Details
I first met Mandy quite by chance when I was taking a Makaton course while my son was still in the Pilgrim Hospitals Neonatal Unit. Although I knew she would be involved in my sons care I didn't realise how important she would become to us.

She supports my son in conjunction with physiotherapists, his nursery and other agencies that have been involved in my son's care. She also valiantly puts up with my older son and has taught him how to share and take turns.

She has become of all the professionals involved with my son, the one I trust the most. She has been a shoulder to cry on after my son was incredibly poorly last year. A bringer of fun, toys, learning and structure into our lives.

All my children work wonderfully with her and I know she is 100% there for my son and her focus and dedication to her role is outstanding and if possible I would love for her to be recognised.

Nominated Date - 19-07-2018
Nominee Name - Jetta Denton
Nominee Service - One to one teaching assistant for my son.

Nomination Details
Jetta has gone above and beyond to help my son through his transition into school. She has worked tirelessly to help him develop his speech, often thinking outside the box to come up with ways to deliver the speech therapy in ways that he will engage with her.

Not only has she helped him academically, she has helped considerably to build his confidence, encourage him to be himself and to build relationships with his peers.
Before he started in school, our son found it very difficult to make friends because his speech delay and reserved nature would often lead to other children choosing to find someone else to play with.
Jetta (and the other members of staff in his class) helped him in so many different ways to create strong friendships which have undoubtedly helped him considerably.

Jetta clearly has a natural flare for working with children with addi

Nominated Date - 18-07-2018
Nominee Name - Jane rose - portage
Nominee Service - Portage

Nomination Details
Jane was one of the first people to work with my daughter and be really positive about her.
She is so passionate about her role and the children she works with.

She always has new ideas to try with my daughter and sees her in such a positive way focusing on her abilities.
She will always try and help me find information and put me in touch with other organisations.

When my daughter was first diagnosed I felt lost and Jane organised a portage coffee morning to help me and other parents meet up.
In between visits she will often send a photo of something my daughter did or some extra stickers for my son so he doesn't feel left out.

She is truly a great example of someone in the perfect role for them who really cares.

Nominated Date - 19-07-2018
Nominee Name - Mrs Holland & Mrs Olgesbee
Nominee Service - Education - TA’s to my daughter

Nomination Details
We are now reaching the end of Year 2 for my daughter Isabella and another remarkable year at Boston West Academy.

My Daughter loves her school experience and this is in part because of her wonderful TA's who always greet us with a smile and who always can deliver positives when it's been a bad day. My daughter is always enthusiastic and proud of the work she creates with her TA's guidance. Her TA's celebrate her accomplishments even though they may seem insignificant to someone on the outside.

They have worked really hard over the years and notably Isabella's social skills have broadened and they have helped my daughter to build friendships and create an inclusive school environment with children who accept her, quirks and all.

The school hours aren't always the end for the TA's and I know sometimes they work on making new resources or are researching best practices.

To be able to take my vulnerable daughter to school and know that she is happy, safe and receiving an (individualised) education and not have to worry about her whatsoever is a feeling I do not take for granted.

My daughter has had a fantastic three years with lots of amazing teachers and two committed TA's who I describe as Mary Poppins and I would love them to receive the recognition they certainly deserve.

Thank you

Nominated Date - 18-07-2018
Nominee Name - Mrs Hill School TA
Nominee Service - Education

Nomination Details
Mrs Hill, has never given up on my boy even though it can be a struggle to get him to do his learning. She has taught him to read and is forever coming up with ideas as to get the best support and learning for him. She also supports us through EHCP meetings, school meetings etc.

She will hate me for nominating her as she doesn't like taking credit for how good she really is. But she has been amazing helping us and our son and we can never fully show our appreciation.

It's always a struggle getting the right help for our children and when you finally find someone that's willing to help you it's great to let them know how great they really are.

Nominated Date - 28-09-2018
Nominee Name - Craig Morris & Emma Barlow from YPLP
Nominee Service - Support after Further Education

Nomination Details
I would like to nominate Craig and Emma from YPLP for supporting my daughter both during her supported Internship, afterwards and during her transition at Mencap.

With their common sense approach to her issues she managed to remain positive and enthusiastic and felt confident enough to start an apprenticeship with Mencap.

I know you say "we were only doing our jobs" but giving a young person support and encouragement, taking time to listen to them and using your initiatives to come up with solutions to everyday problems takes a lot of effort. So a big thank you from all our family.

Nominated Date - 16-11-2018
Nominee Name - Lorraine Munro - Registered Manager for Linkage
Nominee Service - Support for our family to enable my younger disabled daughter to live a happy and fulfilling life in the community supported by the Linkage team Lorra

Nomination Details
Support for our family to enable my younger disabled daughter to live a happy and fulfilling life in the community supported by the Linkage team, Lorraine manages and encouragement for my older daughter to strive to build her resilience and achieve her aspirations to be an even more effective lecturer working with young people with additional needs at Linkage.

Nominated Date - 19-07-2018
Nominee Name - Mrs Jameson
Nominee Service - Education

Nomination Details
I would like to nominate Mrs Jameson for all her hard work and support to all the children that have additional needs. She is always happy and approachable. Nothing is too much trouble for her. She has shown myself and my son lots of support over the past 2 years and has always seen the true potential in him.

She made various referrals when required to the relevant people to get assessments on time to help support his needs.

Because of this support and encouragement my son was able to make up the points he was falling behind on in school and has now caught up with the rest of his class. We are very grateful to Mrs Jameson and the teaching staff at St Norberts.

Nominated Date - 16-07-2018
Nominee Name - Amy Cook, WGA St John’s
Nominee Service - Teacher

Nomination Details