We were so proud to welcome Nick Rubins, the High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire and Edward Attenborough, Deputy Lieutenant to Flower Pod Newark on 6^th August 2024. The High Sheriff came to present awards to our wonderful Voice & Participation group in recognition of their ‘great and valuable services to the community.’

The Voice & Participation group comprises 10 adults with learning disabilities, each of whom has volunteered extensively, delivering training on online safety, contributing to staff and volunteer training, interviewing job candidates, and organising recruitment coffee mornings. Group members also volunteer within Reach’s five centres and in the community. The group is now focused on addressing the high risk of poor health among adults with learning disabilities.

There were certificates for the whole group, as well as for Kay Greenwell and Adrian Hartley who support the group. Kay has been an excellent facilitator, organising the group and enabling them to make their voices heard; not just internally here at Reach but with other stakeholders. Adrian is a Trustee who has spent lots of time volunteering with the group, sharing lots of expertise and experience.

Nick Rubins, The High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire says: “Reach is a wonderful charity, run and managed by some amazing people. I love the fact that the charity completely immerses itself within local communities and by doing so breaks down barriers. Their work, including the Voice & Participation Group, really changes the lives of people with learning disabilities by really listening to what they need and surrounding them with love and care.”

Julia Sandhu, Reach’s Fundraising Director, praised the group: “Everyone at Reach is very proud of the Voice & Participation group’s achievements. Each individual is a wonderful role model who has demonstrated how people with different abilities can help improve the lives of others. We thank the High Sheriff, Nick, and Ed for taking the time to visit us to recognise the group’s contribution to their community.”

It was a lovely day, with speeches from the High Sheriff, the Voice and Participation group and Reach Trustees. It’s fabulous seeing our amazing Voice and Participation group getting recognition for all their hard work and volunteering time. Thank you High Sheriff for your awards, and well done to everyone involved with Voice & Participation!