Twelve youngsters, aged from six to 20, were given awards at Local Offer Live last week at Curve Theatre –the first time accolades have featured in the event .
The annual event helps put children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), parents and carers in touch with local and regional services, and is supported by Leicestershire County Council, Leicester City Council, Remploy, NHS and others.
Ellie Eagles, aged 15, was given an award for Most Inspirational. Ellie has multi-sensory impairment with diabetes which presents her with major challenges. She participates fully in school and works hard to catch up on any work missed due to her medical appointments. She also champions the needs of deaf children by being part of the NDCS Youth Advisory Board. She is always smiley and incredibly dynamic and shows maturity with how she overcomes challenges she faces.
Kate Wells, Ellie’s support teacher who nominated her, said: “Ellie is an absolute star who does everything she can to support herself, and throws herself into a whole range of activities with energy and enthusiasm.
"Ellie talked confidently about her experiences at a Children Hearing Services Working Group and also gave a beautiful speech at her Grandads funeral in front of 100 of people. She is always cheerful, determined and courageous, not shying away from sharing any issues with adults and how to overcome them”.
I’m pleased that the Local Offer Live event was successful. We encourage getting involved as this is a great way for the service providers and specialist groups to connect with some truly inspirational people while ensuring help is provided at all stages.
Person:Ivan Ould, county council cabinet member for children and families
Sarah Russell, Leicester City Council’s assistant city mayor for children, young people and schools said: “Local Offer Live is a very important event which is always greatly valued by local families and service providers, but this year’s was one of the best yet. The awards ceremony celebrated the achievements of some remarkable children and young people who have worked hard to improve the lives of others despite facing challenges of their own. They should all be very proud.”
Over 110 different services were showcased at Local Offer Live – the event is in its third year and featured many activities from music performances to arts and crafts.
Seventeen-year-old Luke Nash has worked with the Changing Places Consortium and was given an award for Greatest Achievement. Luke helps encourage the building and development of fully accessible disabled toilets for people with profound and complex needs and disabilities.
Caroline Lindsay, Luke’s teacher and nominee, said: “Luke has been really proud and he is evidence that if you try really hard to make a change or difference, you can. Luke has worked with Changing Places to meet the needs of people with disabilities, and even helped to create a song that campaigned towards the development of these toilets in Leicester.
“As a result, Leicester City Football Club installed a Changing Places toilet. The opening of these toilets was covered by Channel 4 news ‘No Go Britain’ in December and Luke officially opened them."
People looking for special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) support can find out more through the council’s local offer.