From over 40 entries, two winners and four runners up were selected for the Erica Awards 2011.
The Erica Awards helped us find a number of very special and inspiring people in the learning disability and autism communities.
Who won the group category?
Winners of the groups, ‘Reach for the Stars’, impressed the judges with their regular club nights for people with learning disabilities, which attract up to 600 people a time in South Yorkshire.
Reach for the Stars plan to take their activities one step further, organising a talent search throughout South Yorkshire for people with learning disabilities and people with autism, aptly named ‘The Star Factor’. Dimensions will be supporting the event to help give it the extra ‘wow factor’! Find out more about Reach for the Stars' entry.
Who won the individuals category?
Simon Smith, from Brighton, a young man who experiences autism, wins the individuals category.
Simon is dedicated to helping people understand what it is like to have autism. He delivers talks and presentations to schools, family groups and social care professionals. His unique perspective on the condition has benefitted many people and helped them improve the services they deliver to others who experience autism.
With help from Dimensions, he hopes to develop his presentations into a career for himself and others. Find out more about Simons' entry.
Runners up for the Erica Awards 2011
Runners up of the Erica Awards are Heavy Load and Travel Buddy in the Groups category and Sarah Marchesi and Rebecca Ormian, in the Individuals category.
The Erica Award is for people with learning disabilities and people who experience autism.
It is held in memory of Erica Morton who worked hard to change the lives of people with learning disabilities and people with autism.
We want to celebrate inspirational individuals and groups who do the same and make a difference to the lives of people with learning disabilities and autism.
What's the prize?
Winners were awarded up to £1000 to spend on personal development or a project that will help others. There were also cash prizes and the chance to attend our awards presentation.
