Inspirational dyslexics, supportive employers and educators were celebrated at a special awards night in Shropshire.
Amongst the winners of the UK Dyslexia Awards were Clive Knowles, founder of the British Ironwork Centre in Oswestry who scooped Entrepreneur Award; Samantha Jones from Lawley, Telford, who won the Special Educational Needs (SENCO) Award and Morgan Jones from Shrewsbury who won the Community Shining Star Award in the 13-19 year-old category.
Retired specialist teacher and lecturer Liz Norton, who founded the Telford Dyslexia Workshop in the 1990s, also received a special Founder’s Award for her services, vision, drive and determination to empower and champion dyslexics across Shropshire.
Winners from as far afield as Scotland, Worcestershire, Shropshire and Northumbria also picked up awards.
The ceremony was held at the Enginuity interactive museum in Coalbrookdale with about 100 guests present, and many more watching on live streams from around the country.
Teenage winner Morgan, who has just started a degree in Zoology at the University of Hull, was praised by judges for her ‘dedication to the community’ from helping older people during the Covid pandemic to supporting local cubs and scouts groups, fundraising and being a role model for her school.
Commenting at the awards Morgan, who found learning at school difficult because of her dyslexia, said: “I’m so excited to have won this award. It’s a bit surreal and means a lot as there are a lot of wonderful people here that also deserve this award.”
Winner Samantha, who is a SEND and Inclusivity Manager at City of Wolverhampton College and works with learners aged 16 plus, said she was privileged to have been able to support so many individuals through her work.
She said: “Doing what I do has always been about making sure people understand that we are who we are and then empowering them to develop the confidence to achieve their goals and ambitions.”
Awards founder Elizabeth Wilkinson MBE, from Wellington, said the celebration event was a huge success. She said: “It is fabulous to hear so many stories of dyslexic people putting their stamp on the world, as well as the heart-warming stories of the tutors, teachers and support staff who empower and encourage success.
“The awards are a success story that was truly made in Shropshire, and I was delighted to see so many nominations and winners from the county.”
For more information about the Dyslexia Awards visit https://theddc.org.uk/dyslexiaawards/
