In September we held our Excellence Awards ceremony at Hampton Court Palace. The Excellence Awards provide a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the achievements of our colleagues across SeeAbility, with a spotlight on those who have gone above and beyond to support people to live, love, thrive and belong. 

The nomination process 

Our colleagues, those we support, and their family and friends were eligible to nominate colleagues for an award. The stories we received illustrated a clear passion and drive to support SeeAbility’s mission of delivering ambitious support for people with learning disabilities, autism, and sight loss.  

As always, our awards are competitive - thank you to everyone who submitted nominations! Whilst we can’t issue awards to everyone, please know that your contributions are not going unnoticed and only serve to further strengthen our mission.  

Each nomination was reviewed to identify those which best demonstrate our values:  

• Respect is our starting point  

• We spark imagination  

• We learn together to be our best  

• We believe in each other  

A panel of the people we support, colleagues, trustees and our Senior Leadership Team cast their votes. An additional award was given for our ‘Volunteer of the Year’. 

Sylvie Malo

Respect is our starting point 

Sylvie won an Excellence Award for the life-changing difference she has made to to one of the people we support at SeeAbility. Before Sylvie's support, she had been living with near-constant anxiety due to trauma she'd experienced earlier in life, and hardly left the house. Even seeing a delivery van pull up outside of her home would make her fearful. 

With Sylvie's support, her confidence is thriving: she now has a packed social schedule, whether it's exploring the local town, enjoying live music at festivals, visiting theme parks, or making the most of a beauty treatment at her local hairdresser's. It's hard to keep up with what she's doing next!

'Her life has absolutely turned around.' - David, Manager

Spencer Court Team

Respect is our starting point 

When one of the people we support moved into Spencer Court, the team were instrumental in making sure that he felt instantly at home from the very first day. Having spent five years at home with his parents after a previous move broke down, he was ready for greater independence and the freedom to live life on his own terms. The team worked alongside him through a long and carefully planned transition, taking time to ensure he felt comfortable, confident, and ready for life at his new home.

Today, he is thriving at Spencer Court. A keen nature lover, he enjoys long and challenging walks through the countryside, and has taken this a step further by securing a volunteering role where he helps with outdoor recycling. He also attended our awards ceremony with his parents, which meant his whole support team could be there and accept the award together. Most importantly, he is happier - making his own decisions and living the life that he chooses.

Jacob's Close Team

We learn together to be our best 

When JT decided to move to Jacob's Close after living with his parents, the team made sure that the transition was as seamless as possible. They took the time to listen to him and let him take the lead, using tools such as an interactive choice board to help him communicate what he wanted and make his own decisions.

JT's social life has grown enormously. Where before he'd be out for no more than one hour a day, he now often spends several hours out and about, whether it's horse riding, visiting museums, or enjoying a dip at a local swimming park. 

'It's been the most successful move ever because the staff listen to him all day long.' - JT's mum

Ruth Hutton

We learn together to be our best 

For the last few years, Ruth has been the Chair of SeeAbility's Colleague Forum - a team of colleagues from all over SeeAbility who come together to discuss what's working well and what can be improved at our charity.

When Ruth started chairing the forum, many areas of SeeAbility were not represented, so there was work to do to ensure the forum truly reflected the diverse voices of our colleagues. Thanks to her leadership, attendance at the Colleague Forum has now doubled, engagement has grown, and far more people have the confidence to speak up.

'She's reached deeper into many parts of SeeAbility than anyone else, and she has given those people a voice.' - Nicola, Behaviour Consultant

David Quinton and the Peter Grant Way Team

We believe in each other 

Before moving to Peter Grant Way, Richie spent most of his time living in one room. He'd spend no more than one day a week outdoors - and only then for an hour or less - before returning to those same four walls.

Since moving to his new home, the team have worked tirelessly to put Richie's choices about his own life first. From creating signs he can point to when choosing what he wants to do, to supporting him on his next adventure, the team have found ways to give him greater control over his life.

The difference has been incredible. Richie is now out every day, regardless of the weather, enjoying far greater freedom in how he chooses to spend his time.

'The key was to find the right environment for him to gain more agency over his day to day living. Giving him that agency means that he's a much happier person.'  - Steve, Richie's brother

Marek Karas

We believe in each other 

Marek has worked in our special schools eye care service since its inception in 2013, meeting children and young adults with learning disabilities every day, many of whom have undiagnosed sight problems.

One person he supported recently is Terence, who Marek identified as having a sight problem so severe that he couldn't see further than two inches from his face. Following that diagnosis, our team were able to provide Terence with glasses, which has meant that he's no longer visually impaired.

Marek has also been working behind the scenes to expand our special schools service. He was instrumental in writing tenders which have led to the service expanding to all special schools in London and South East England - meaning 70,000 SEND children can access eye care at their schools, many for the first time.

'We wouldn't be where we are today if it wasn't for him.' - Malvi, Special Schools Eyecare Service Clinical Lead

Tom's Team

We spark imagination 

Tom's lifelong dream was to travel to the United States of America, but after the Covid-19 pandemic, his increased anxiety around health appointments and busy social situations meant that even leaving home could sometimes feel overwhelming. 

By patiently working alongside Tom to rebuild his confidence, breaking down his dream into manageable steps and ensuring he remained in control of his journey, the team helped to turn what once felt impossible into reality. Tom travelled to Florida, visited Walt Disney World, and had the time of his life. He's already planning his next stateside adventure!

Waterside House Team

We spark imagination 

The team at Waterside House won an Excellence Award this year for showing that, with the right support, even the biggest ambitions can become a reality.

When the people we support at Waterside House showed an interest in flying a plane, the team fully embraced the idea, carefully planning everything needed to turn that ambition into reality. The impact went far beyond the flight itself, giving people greater confidence to explore what else they could achieve, even inspiring one person to start a voluntary role at their local charity shop!

Neil Cockroft

Volunteer of the year 

When one of the people we support shared that they wanted to redecorate their flat to better reflect their style and tastes, Neil was only too happy to get stuck in.

He supported James to transform his flat into a home which truly reflects his personality and choices, giving him a renewed sense of pride in where he lives. Along the way, the two have also developed a fantastic friendship, with plenty of jokes, laughter and a shared sense of pride in everything they've achieved together.