The award is an achievement award in honour of Richard Jeffries, Chair of the Gateway Club, Trustee and former Chair of Richmond Mencap, and Trustee and former Chair of the Normansfield and Richmond Foundation. In remembrance of his support and passion for people with learning disabilities and his love of butterflies, this new award celebrates achievements within the Learning Disability community of Richmond.
2023 Winners
Susannah, Chloe and Dexter
The winners were presented with their awards (£100 and a badge each) for achievements that helped people cope with the pandemic at our Learning Disability Awareness Week event at RHACC.
We received so many fantastic nominations for the award, from across the learning disability & autism community in Richmond. The Trustees of the Normansfield and Richmond Foundation were very impressed with everyone’s various achievements in helping people cope with the pandemic.
Chloe
After 5 weeks in hospital last year and 3 months at home, she got back to her apprenticeship and last month took her exam and a professional discussion and now is a fully qualified level 2 nursery practitioner. Since she started her apprenticeship, she has blossomed just like a butterfly heading to work and gaining confidence. We are very proud of her as she kept working on her learning despite struggling with memory issues!
Dexter
I have chosen him because he has achieved lots over his 41 years but particularly this past year. It has been wonderful to see Dexter overcome the obstacles he has faced in his life. To see Dexter get back to his usual, happy-go-lucky self has been incredible to witness. I know his sunny disposition and infectious personality rubs off on everyone he meets.
Susannah
Susannah is a great help to Andrew and William and a great local supporter of Hampton and Richmond football. She is a good, smiling, happy person even after difficult times. She has made a good recovery and helps organisations like Mencap and The People Hive. She is fun and kind, and likes sunny weather.
2022 Winners
Martin, Susie, James, Lizzie, Jack, Alan and Robert
The winners were presented with their awards (£100 and a badge each) for achievements that helped people cope with the pandemic at our Learning Disability Awareness Week event at RHACC. The runners up also received their awards (£20 each).
We received so many fantastic nominations for the award, from across the learning disability & autism community in Richmond. The Trustees of the Normansfield and Richmond Foundation were very impressed with everyone’s various achievements in helping people cope with the pandemic.
The Prizewinners’ Achievements
Read about the prizewinners’ achievements in the words of their nominators.
Martin
“He did so much for others in the lockdown; he always checked in on friends and kept them informed about what was happening. This meant local changes to rules or the buses.”
James
“COVID was a difficult and challenging time for most people, especially people with learning disabilities. James managed to transition from one support to another with so much confidence and joy.”
Susan
“She has been good company to her house – Max, Andrew & William. She is always smiling and joking while all while not being able to go out much…She is a nice friend and we have fun. Sometimes during COVID we talked on the phone and she was good at keeping safe.”
Alan
“Alan worked throughout the whole of the COVID19 pandemic [as a keyworker at a supermarket] and never missed a shift. He worked on checkouts serving our customers making sure people felt at ease. Replenishing stock, making sure all stock was on the shelf… cleaning around the shop ensuring customers and his colleagues were safe. Also came to work with a safe and positive mindset; he was always making the days brighter…”
Lizzie
“She always had a good attitude to the lockdown and was always making me laugh. She wouldn’t feel down and would always be positive.”
Jack
Jack was nominated for “the development of his communication skills during Covid and how much attending activities on Zoom improved his ability to use his iPad more independently…Doing all these activities online… has given him a clear boost in his confidence as he is able to connect with people on his own… He also started doing daily yoga on YouTube in the morning and this really helped him to set himself a daily routine.”
Robert
In August 2020 Robert was so excited to finally have his own flat! “Unfortunately, more lockdowns meant his socialising was limited and mostly on zoom. Through it all, Robert has kept smiling! He has learned to cook toad in the hole, Mac’n’Cheese, lemon drizzle cake and more – all on a zoom cookery course provided by The People Hive. He can now do his own food shopping in Tesco!”