Award category: Community Group

A2ndVoice provides autism-specific services to children, teenagers and their families, particularly from African, Caribbean, Asian and minority ethnic communities. Culturally appropriate assistance ensures that disabled people and their families receive support tailored to their needs.

Through webinars and other digital platforms, A2ndVoice has created a virtual community that facilitates knowledge sharing among professionals, parents, and caregivers. Other activities include holiday clubs for children and families and inclusive swimming sessions, where disabled people can build confidence and friendships while having fun.

The Disability Union was set up by disabled campaigner George Baker. It furthers disability rights and challenges discrimination. And increases inclusion for Disabled People. The user-led organisation campaigns at a national level and offers members 1:1 support with many issues. Like benefits, housing, and social care.

The Skills Academy provides 700+ online courses to bridge the employment gap. The Disability Union hosts social events, online communities, and campaigns. These amplify Disabled Peoples’ voices and give them the power to make change.

Green Door supports hundreds of disabled people, in collaboration with Scope’s Community Engagement Programme. They provide accessible cycling, canoeing, kayaking and archery. They encourage disabled people, families, and carers to visit Westport Lake in Stoke-On-Trent. And enjoy the wonderful green spaces.

Green Door operates in one of the most deprived areas of the country, with a disproportionate level of health inequalities. Their accessible equipment and volunteers enable disabled people to exercise and socialise. And enjoy outdoor spaces safely.

Wheels and Wheelchairs is a group of wheelchair users and skaters. They enjoy the fun, collaboration, and sensory rush of accessible rollerblading. Every week in Battersea Park, skaters push children and adults in adapted wheelchairs.

The group rolls past the sites of London on street skates and joins events further afield like the Istanbul roller marathon. This is all paid for by the organisation to enable maximum participation. They’ve clocked up thousands of miles and smiles in their 11 years.