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Ambassadors and supporters

The Learning Disability and Autism Leaders Awards wouldn’t be possible without the people and groups who nominate people and celebrate them with us.

Join our fabulous supporters

It’s completely free for organisations, groups and local authorities to sign up. All we ask is you to continue nominating and sharing. In return, we will promote your group and give you access to exclusive updates and opportunities.

This does not give your or the people you nominate any advantage in the awards. We simply want to encourage a network to share and celebrate together.

If you are a celebrity, influencer or politician interested in becoming a ambassador please contact our press office.

Watch our ambassadors’ videos

Broadcaster and presenter, Ken Bruce

Ken’s son Murray won in 2019 and since, Ken has kindly supported the awards and hosted our online celebrations and in person at the O2 Cineworld in 2024.

Actor and advocate, Liam Bairstow

Liam didn’t win for his starring role in Coronation Street, but rather for his commitment to advocating for equal rights. He’s continued to record videos and get involved in the awards to encourage more people.

Actor, George Webster

George kindly recorded a well done message for finalists and winners in 2021, when the event was still being held online due to the pandemic.

Meet our other ambassadors

Reporter and presenter, Ruben Reuter

Ruben won his award in 2021 and has been a valuable friend in the media since. Here he is featuring fellow Leader James’s voting story on Channel 4 News for 2024 Leaders Award campaign partner, My Vote My Voice.

Actor, Sally Phillips

Sally supported the second year of the Leaders Awards, back in 2019. She wrote a special thanks to everybody who entered and the judges.

Thank our supporters with us

Special Olympics Great Britain

Special Olympics Great Britain (GB) is a non-profit organisation and largest provider of year-round sports training and athletic competition in summer and winter sports for children and adults of ALL abilities with intellectual disabilities also known as learning disabilities.

Autism Together

Autism Together is a charity and service provider, offering specialist support to autistic people for over 55 years. Founded in Wirral in 1968 by a group of concerned parents, the organisation currently employs more than 800 staff, supporting over 400 adults and many more families, through services across Wirral and Cheshire.

The Sensory Projects

Dr Joanna Grace is a Sensory Engagement and Inclusion Specialist, Researcher, Author, and Trainer. Through her work at The Sensory Projects she seeks to contribute to a future where people are understood in spite of their differences. Joanna is autistic, she lives with her husband and two children (one also autistic, one profoundly neurotypical), a cat and a dog, in rural Cornwall.

Ace Anglia

Ace is a people-led independent advocacy organisation working with people with learning disabilities and autistic people across Suffolk. Our vision is for a world where everyone has their voice heard so that people live good lives as part of their community with the right support at the right time from the right people.

IMAS

International Mixed Ability Sports (IMAS) are a UK based organisation who are radically changing the way we think of, join in and enjoy sports across the world, bringing together disabled and non-disabled participants leading to a fairer and more equal society. Mixed Ability sport is leading the way in inclusion!

Respect in Bexley

Respect in Bexley is the name for our self-advocacy groups where people with a learning disability work together to make our community better for people with learning disabilities. The groups work hard talking about issues that affect local people, providing feedback to our partners on new ideas or services and making sure that when plans are made they think about people with a learning disability. They are the voice of people with a learning disability in Bexley.

Achieve Together

With 25 years expertise, Achieve together is a leading UK provider of specialist support for people with learning disabilities, autistic people and those with associated complex needs. It supports over 2,300 young people and adults in 420 homes and services across England and Wales to live happy, healthy and meaningful lives.

Campaign 4 Change

Campaign 4 Change is a self and peer advocacy group for people with learning disabilities and autistic people. Members campaign and raise awareness of different issues on a local and national level, and work in partnership with other organisations to ensure that people with learning disabilities and autistic people lead great and happy lives.

Your organisation here?

Complete the form below to support the Learning Disability and Autism Leaders Awards.

Sign up to support the awards

Organisations, groups and local authorities please use this form to sign up to support the awards. This does not give your or the people you nominate any advantage in the awards. We simply want to encourage a network to share and celebrate together.

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    It is increasingly crucial to showcase the remarkable accomplishments of people with learning disabilities and those who are autistic. Regrettably, outdated societal perspectives persist, with some individuals (including some who run our country) failing to recognise the invaluable contributions, impacts, and voices of this important demographic. Platforms like these awards play a vital role in challenging such perspectives.

    Ken Bruce DJ, Presenter and Leaders’ Awards Ambassador.