Press Release

VIP Stars For The Day

28 November 2005

A rebellious teenager thrown out of school at 13 and a former BT engineer who amazed doctors by walking again after a horrific motorbike crash are among the remarkable people and organisations to win national charity Shaw Trust's STAR Awards 2005.
Tennis champion Pat Cash handed out the awards to 12 winners at Tuesday's (November 22) ceremony at London's Café Royal, hosted by comedian, writer and broadcaster Simon Fanshawe.
"This is one of the most important days in our calendar, because it gives us the chance to publicly recognise the wonderful achievements of some of the people we have worked with over the year," said Ian Charlesworth, Managing Director of Shaw Trust, which is the UK's leading provider of employment services for people disadvantaged by disability, ill health or social circumstances.

Winners chosen from 117 nominees around the UK are as follows:
The Human Spirit Award goes to Doncaster canteen lady Lynn Ward who has battled against years of pain and serious illness but never given up her struggle to carry on working.
Best friends Matthew Ansell and Richard Morgans of Basingstoke received the Community Champions Award for their devotion to helping others despite their own disabilities.

Former BT engineer and action man Richard Denyer from Aberystwyth who has rebuilt his life after a horrific motorbike accident was a worthy winner of the Pushing the Boundaries Award.

Sheer determination has helped Abdul Hussein from London triumph. He thought nothing of walking a ten-mile round trip to work every day and has won the Road to Success Award.

One time rebellious teenager Karl Smith from Basingstoke, who was expelled from school at 13 but has since turned his life around and is heading for a successful career in horticulture, won the Young Person of the Year Award.

A passion for helping people to get back to work earned Shaw Trust Development Officer Peter Hooker of Hampshire the title Best Member of Staff.

The special leadership qualities, which are an inspiration to one grateful employee, won Southend-on-Sea boss Jo Cox the award for Workplace Mentor.

It was impossible to single out one person to win the Volunteer award, because all 17 members of the Dunfermline Volunteer Team showed such outstanding dedication and support. They are all worthy winners.

Southport-based employer City Facilities Management is named Large Employer of the Year for its commitment to diversity.

Graham Winter Builders Ltd, of Lincoln, won Small to Medium Employer of the Year for giving so many young people a fresh start in life.

Dynamic crusading charity Progress Recruitment of Blackpool is the winning Partner Organisation, which works closely with the Trust to help severely disabled adults and young people into work.

Inspirational Teeside woman Claire Forsdyke who spent the last months of her life helping disabled and disadvantaged people find jobs was honoured with a posthumous Special Achievement award presented by Shaw Trust MD Ian Charlesworth.

"All our winners and nominees are inspirational and their achievements show quite clearly what can be done, with the right support," said Ian.
"This is clearly especially pertinent right now, as new Work and Pensions Secretary John Hutton's department gets ready to unveil its IB reform Green Paper. We know that there are 1.2 million people with disabilities ready to work now, with the proper backing. We know it can be done and, importantly, how it can be done."

At the star-studded Café Royal event, Shaw Trust also spotlighted its seven new Key Messages, which are designed as a wake up call to the world. With slogans such as 'Keeping people away from work doesn't make sense', 'How soon would you give up if they were your kids?' and 'It is society that disables people', the Trust is aiming its messages at business, government, and the general public.

"We supported a record-breaking 40,763 people last year, but we want to help a great deal more, and to do that, we need to break down barriers and prejudices, as well as get proper funding," adds Ian Charlesworth.

"We hope the messages will stir people to make changes. For a world that shuns someone because of their disability or social circumstance, or because they don't fit the 'norm', is a mad, bad, sad world.

"Our STAR Award nominees' stories show what can be achieved. The event turns them into stars for the day, but in truth, like all of our clients who break down the barriers to progress, they are stars all year round."

Pat Cash, who is staying in London for the November 29 to December 4 Masters, said: "I'm delighted to be supporting Shaw Trust, which helps so many people in so many ways and whose achievements make them all winners."

WINNERS FEATURES

BOUNDARY BUSTING SUPER MAN RICHARD

ABERYSWYTH'S own Super Man was looking forward to getting togged up for national charity Shaw Trust's STAR Awards at London's Café Royal. "I've got the new suit, the flippers, the snorkel, the navigation aid under one arm...," says Richard Denyer, with his customary chuckle.
Of course he left the sailing and diving equipment at home, but it would have been a fitting outfit for the man, whose sense of humour lights up any room, and who has confounded doctors and rebuilt his life after a horrific motorbike crash four and half years ago.
They said he'd never walk again, but he was on his feet before he left Brongais hospital. What's more the high octane action man - who enjoyed paragliding, skiing, surfing and swimming before the crash stopped him in his tracks ­ has taken up sailing and yearns to return to scuba diving, once his doctor will let him.
Richard's bike careered into a stone wall in Dolgellau after he suffered a stroke. "There was a blinding light, and I can't remember much else," says the 54 year-old father of one, who lives in Aberystwyth with his wife Evelyn.
A month later he came round to discover he had a startling list of injuries that included broken ribs, two breaks in his shoulder bone, a smashed collar bone, plus a shattered arm, hip and leg and lung injuries from the bike handle bars.
"The doctor asked me why I giggled when he told me I wouldn't walk again," he recalls. "I explained 'You said 'won't' and I'm not having that!"
His is an astonishing and inspirational story of bravery, fortitude and sheer determination, but Richard is a reluctant star, who is embarrassed at winning the Shaw Trust STAR 'Pushing the Boundaries' award for Individual Achievement, even though he is clearly a boundary pusher. "I'm flattered, shocked and I feel very humble," says Richard, who was accompanied by his wife Evelyn at the star-studded ceremony at London's Café Royal, in Regent Street.
"I didn't do anything special. I was just determined that the accident wouldn't finish me. I just did what I had to do," he says quietly.
Others beg to differ. He was nominated not once, but twice for the Award, and there's a long queue of people who would echo the praise in the citations ­ even the DVLA chap who took Richard through his re-test couldn't resist adding a glowing testament about his fun day with the chap.
"Richard is the most courageous and remarkable person that I have ever had the pleasure to meet and work with," says his Shaw Trust Officer Annette Lester, Vocational Specialist for Shaw Trust's Pain and Management Programme.
"His infectious, sunny and optimistic personality inspires everyone. There is no stopping him. He embraces life with such enthusiasm and determination."
Shaw Trust is the UK's leading provider of employment services for people disadvantaged by disability or social circumstance. Annette, who is based at the Trust's Disability Action Centre in Llandarcy, first met Richard when he was struggling to keep his job with BT. Cruelly, he was on the verge of being promoted from engineer to technical officer when the accident shattered his career.
Reluctantly, he eventually opted for early retirement on medical grounds, after 25 years and three weeks in the job. Not that he was counting: "I felt pretty bleak about it, but that was then," he says firmly. "In fact I've had a fantastic year."
He has certainly packed a lot in. First, prompted by Shaw Trust, he enjoyed the revelation of a pain management course at the renowned Bronllys Hospital near Brecon. "I learnt to manage my pain and to slow down, just a little, at recognisable flare up times," he explains.
"They also gave me a new walk, although when I took my new walk ­ complete with walking stick rather than a walking frame ­ for a walk without telling anyone at the centre, I got picked up by the police," he laughs.
"I was wobbling about, happily waving my stick at the passing police car, and on their third trip round, they picked me up and took me to a local ward, even though I said I was staying at the house we passed. They took me back when the ward staff said I wasn't one of theirs!"
Shaw Trust helped him to get volunteering work with Mentro Lluest, which supports people with learning difficulties, and where he's just picked up an NVQ Level 1 in Horticulture.
He's also having a whale of a time with Sailability Wales, which he contacted through the Trust. Richard is on the verge of getting a Coastal Skipper qualification, and is working towards his Yacht Master Certificate. He also volunteers for Cardigan Bay Dolphin Watch and the Coastal Watch programme.
"He is a remarkable man and now leads a life far more active than most non-disabled people," observes Shaw Trust National Accounts Manager Laurie Scott, who also nominated Richard for the STAR Award.
He's certainly got drive, and there's always a giggle in him. He tells a hilarious story about persuading a Greek motorbike man to let a man 'clearly paralysed all down one side' to let him hire out his personal Harley Davidson so he could have one last bike fix. "I was indignant because the scuba diving people wouldn't let me have a go at that," he explains. "It was the most fantastic four days, and I was happy to say goodbye to motorbikes after that."
Richard eschews any talk of super men, and instead asks us to thank, "everybody who knows me, who have been involved on my road to recovery. It has been a fascinating journey up to now, thank you for staying with me."
Those people include his much loved son Leigh, a 28 year-old education officer for the Forestry Commission, who rushed home from New Zealand when his dad had the crash. "He's my best friend, and we have a lot of fun together," says Richard, who hopes to go sailing with his son when he gets his final qualifications.
He also hopes to act a sailing buddy for disabled people, and plans to get his own boat. "I'm going to call it A Stroke of Luck," he smiles.
"Whenever I'm out on the sea, I thank my lucky stars that I've been given the time and opportunity to do things like this. I'm certainly not going to waste that time."
His ambition, he reveals, is to help as many people as he can. "I'd like to support people going through some of the things I've already experienced on my journey so far, in the same gentle, positive way I was helped," he says.
"I've been there, had the T-shirt and, well... I've ripped it off!"

KARL'S THE YOUNG PERSON OF THE YEAR

"I FEEL pretty chuffed with myself," says modest Basingstoke teenager Karl Smith, eventually, when pushed - hard - about how it felt to be crowned Young Person of the Year at national charity Shaw Trust's prestigious STAR Awards in London's Café Royal.
You'd never guess that this mature young man, who received his award from tennis champ Pat Cash with a bashful smile, is the same chap who was chucked out of school at 13, after years of warnings about his behaviour.
The troubled teen, who his parents feared would be inside by his 16th birthday, has turned his life around. Instead, the celebrations will be big when he turns 16, on December 2, for Karl is truly a star.
Karl credits his dramatic life U-turn to his work placement at the North Waltham Wyevale Garden Centre, which was organised by Shaw Trust's Young People's Service as part of Hampshire County Council's trail-blazing Basingstoke School Plus, based at Winklebury.
A long-term love of gardening, encouraged by his DJ dad Graham who gave him at patch of garden when he was 11, has blossomed into a career plan to be a landscape gardener.
Wyevale, part of a national chain, is thrilled with him, Karl now earns money at Saturday and holiday jobs there, he is studying for a Modern Apprenticeship in Horticulture at the prestigious Sparsholt College and he's also amazed everyone by asking to go back to his maths studies, fuelled by realisation that it's really useful in a garden centre environment.
His inspirational story has already hit the headlines, and the STAR Award was the icing on the cake. "I know I'm his dad, but he deserves all the recognition he's getting," says Graham, who lives with wife Tina, Karl and their four other children in South Ham.
"Even so, we were shocked when he was nominated for the award, and dumbfounded when he won. We are very proud of him."
Graham and Tina can't believe the transformation of their son, who bought a new shirt out of his earnings for the Café Royal trip, and who enthusiastically whizzes off to work and college, even when he's ill.
"He has changed completely. He's keen, enjoying life and feels good about himself," says Graham.
The Basingstoke School Plus project, led by Head John Burton, provides education for 14-16 year olds with special needs, or who have been permanently excluded from school.
Shaw Trust's Training and Placement Officers, Louise Sargent and Margaret McCarthy, provide work skills' training, and, after pinpointing the teenagers' likes and loathes, they liase with local businesses to find suitable work placements.
The Wyevale work placement proved to be the making of Karl, and the support of Shop Manager Ken Ford is invaluable. "Ken is an inspirational mentor," said Shaw Trust's Louise Sargent, who nominated Ken, 63, for the Shaw Trust Workplace Mentor STAR Award.
"He has given Karl constant support and guidance. We need more mentors like him."
"Ken has been great," adds Karl. "He's always there for me, and he believed in me."
Ken watched proudly as Karl collected his award. "He conducted himself very well, exceptionally well for his young years," observed father of two Ken, from Kempshott, who has been at Wyevale for four years after 20 years running a group of news agency shops in London.
"I was pleased to be nominated, but delighted that Karl won. He's a great lad, who knuckled down from the beginning, and who's got more talent that he gives himself credit for.
"He's coming on in leaps and bounds in other ways too. A lady customer called us to one side the other day, to say how kind and courteous he had been, and our new sales manager was equally impressed.
"We have great hopes for him, and we'll certainly take more youngsters from Shaw Trust. We might even get another Karl with a bit of luck!"

BUILDING A FUTURE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

A WARM-HEARTED Lincoln builder has won a top award for giving disaffected young people a fresh start.
Graham Winter received his award from tennis champ Pat Cash at national charity Shaw Trust's prestigious STAR Awards ceremony at London's Café Royal, in Regent Street.
"I was very, very shocked, but honoured," said Graham, whose proud wife Sally was in the audience.
Graham, who set up his own business around 18 years ago after being made redundant, won Shaw Trust's STAR Award in the Small to Medium Employer category.
The Lincoln-born man has worked with Shaw Trust for three years, offering work experience, work placements and training for the charity's Young People's Services, which support young people who have often been excluded from school.
"As a growing company, their reputation among customers is important for building on new business, yet Graham is happy to work with students with a history of being disruptive and, at times, unreliable. He has been an excellent role model to all the students that have worked with him," said Sarah Akerman, Development Officer for Shaw Trust, which is the UK's leading provider of employment services for people disadvantaged by disability, ill health or social circumstances.
"His patience and willingness to work with our students has been a blessing and his community spirit has allowed many to make a fresh start, including some who have gone on to get jobs in the construction industry," adds Sarah, who nominated Graham, 42, for the award.
Graham, who lives in Lincoln with Sally and their nine year-old son Aaron, now has one full time staff member and a bulging order book. But he didn't think twice when Shaw Trust asked whether he'd be willing to open his doors to give young people the chance to build the foundation for a career.
"I support the work that Shaw Trust does and everyone deserves a start in life, especially when they¹ve had knock backs," said Graham.
"We insist on certain standards of course, but as long as they are willing to learn and they are polite to our customers, then we give them all the support we can. If it doesn't work out, it doesn't, but at least we've tried."
Over 117 people and businesses, including Tesco and Iceland, from all over the country were nominated for 12 awards.
Graham, meanwhile, is back from the capital, pleased as punch... and out of pocket: "I took my wife shopping after the ceremony and it ended up costing me a small fortune," he joked.
"But it was a small price to pay for a great day. I've never won an award before and it feels pretty special."

TRAIL-BLAZING WINNER

A CRUSADING Blackpool-based charity, which has helped to change the lives of hundreds of severely disabled people, is celebrating after coming top in national charity Shaw Trust's STAR Awards.
"The whole office is on a high," said Progress Recruitment Chief Executive Deborah Parker, who received the Partner Organisation STAR Award from international tennis champion Pat Cash at London's Café Royal.
"It was a spectacular event, and a magical experience ­ one that I'll never forget," adds Deborah, who was accompanied by Queen's Street-based Progress Recruitment Employment Officer Jan McArdel.
"When we saw the calibre of the nominees, we were stunned when our name was announced. The thrill of it was unbelievable, which you can probably tell from the photograph!"
Three thriving businesses in a local school for students with special needs, and countless lives transformed beyond recognition - they were all made possible by the dedicated 20-strong team at Progress Recruitment.
Originally part of the local authority's Social Services department, Progress Recruitment became a stand-alone charity in 2002 and, with the backing of Blackpool Council, has gone from strength to strength.
When it teamed up with national charity Shaw Trust, the UK's leading provider of employment services for disabled and disadvantaged people, it proved to be a match made in heaven.
"By pooling the best of both organisations, we can open up the New Deal for Disabled People to all, irrespective of the level of disability," says Shaw Trust's Regional Employment Manager Steve Dobson, who nominated Progress Recruitment for the STAR award.
"The results speak for themselves."
"Both organisations have the same aims and the same values that underpin the way that we work, so what could be seen as a barrier just becomes a challenge," adds Deborah Parker, Progress Recruitment's Chief Executive.
"We have both got total belief in the people we support, and when they are empowered they have belief in themselves, which is magical."
When Deborah became employment placement officer in 1989, the project, to provide an employment service for people with the most severe and significant learning disabilities, was the first in the county, if not the country. It was an instant success.
Now they are able to work with people with any disability. Over the past year, 27 people who are supported by Progress have been registered with the Trust. The Trust also refers clients who need more specialist help to Progress Recruitment.
"Our core business has always been working for people that are truly at the margins, who need the greatest level of support to achieve," explains Deborah, who lives with her electrician husband Leonard in Cleveleys.
"Some of the people we've worked with have spent most of their lives in an institution, or are excluded because of their behaviour. They've got more labels than I choose to even think of.
"But once you get beneath the surface, identify the situation that person is most productive in and then match that to an employment situation, suddenly things start to change, often dramatically."
The team, who work in Queen's Chambers, will employ every which way to engage with their clients, even those who have little power of communication. They are all trained in sign language and have been coached by autism expert Phoebe Caldwell to pick up on ways to interact.
"We work on the basis that everyone is employable. We may not be able to find them a job, but we believe that somewhere within are skills that can be employed," says Deborah, firmly.
Like Shaw Trust, Deborah and her team fervently believe that employment is more than just the buzz of having a job and a wage. It also contributes to our health, often in immeasurable ways.
Progress Recruitment is currently in the midst of a mental health project targeting Blackpool's horrific position as number one in the country for male suicides.
"Often if young males at risk of mental distress are in employment, that's the thing will carry them through the bad times," explains Deborah.
"We are outstripping all of our targets, with the help of Shaw Trust, and we've seen such tremendous changes in people. We have seen people's health improved dramatically, even when, in the past they have been so ill that they have seriously attempted suicide on more than one occasion."
Deborah's team will leap into action wherever they spot a need. They were the first to introduce supported work experience and entrepreneurial training into special schools, with spectacular success. Blackpool's High Furlong school launched three student-run businesses in September: a Soapers car wash service, the Happy Frydays catering business and the Giftz 4U gift-wrapped baskets enterprise.
Deborah now hopes to roll out the piloted scheme to the five other schools they work with on the Fylde coast.
Like Shaw Trust, the team has heaps of success stories of how people have turned their lives around.
"We get the most tremendous job satisfaction," says Deborah.
"It¹s a wonderful thing to be part of."

NOW THAT'S DEDICATION...

STOP PRESS

SHAW Trust STAR Abdul Hussein will receive his award from Stephen Taylor, Manager of Waitrose's new St Katherine Docks store after the 8.30am ribbon cutting ceremony to mark the opening of the completely revamped store on December 1. Your photographers are most welcome to join us.

A DEDICATED London man, who has won a top award for his astonishing commitment to work, missed national charity Shaw Trust's star-studded ceremony at Regent Street's Café Royal because he didn't want to let his employers down.
Abdul Hussein, 29, passed on the chance to receive his Shaw Trust STAR award from international tennis champion Pat Cash in front of a 450-strong audience, because he was in the middle of staff training for Waitrose.
"It's typical of Abdul to put his job first. He is the most committed and determined person I have ever met," says Shaw Trust Employment Officer Pheyara Nizam, who is based at the Trust's offices in Wapping.
Abdul, who lives in Tower Hamlets, won the Road to Success Award, one of 12 of Shaw Trust's prestigious annual achievement awards.
He was nominated because of his incredible drive to do well at a work placement at the Safeway's superstore in St Katherine Docks, which has just been taken over by Waitrose.
Abdul, who has battled against literacy and numeracy issues, didn't falter even when his travel pass was withdrawn during the placement, organised by Shaw Trust, which is the UK's leading provider of employment services for people disadvantaged by disability, ill health or social circumstances.
He simply re-set his alarm clock and walked the ten mile round trip every day. Unsurprisingly, the store manager snapped him up for a permanent job half way through his placement.
"Abdul always gives 100% and has triumphed against the odds through sheer determination and commitment. He really deserves this award," says Pheyara, who nominated him.
Abdul was nonplussed by all the fuss. "It's the first award I've won, so it's pretty special," he said. "But I don't think I've done anything out of the ordinary."
The judges, and his new employers, beg to differ. The Waitrose management team were impressed that Abdul missed the awards ceremony to undergo staff training.
"We had no idea that Abdul had missed the chance of going to such an important ceremony, until Shaw Trust told us later. We are very proud of his dedication," said Stephen Taylor, Manager at the St Katherine Docks' branch.
Stephen jumped at the chance to present Abdul with his award on December 1 at 8.30am when the completely revamped Waitrose store ­ one of five taken over from Morrison's ­ opens to eagerly expectant customers.
"Waitrose are delighted to be in St Katherine Docks, and equally delighted to have someone as committed and as dedicated as Abdul as a partner, as all our employees are known," Stephen added.

BRAVE LYNNE'S WINNING BATTLE

BRAVERY and sheer determination to carry on working despite all the odds has helped Doncaster canteen lady Lynn Ward win a prestigious achievement award with national charity Shaw Trust.
"It has all come as a bit of a shock but I really enjoyed my big day," said Lynn, 46, from Intake, Doncaster, who has battled through years of painful health problems but has always returned to work.
"I was nervous at first going up to get my award, but Pat Cash gave me a kiss. I feel really proud and happy now.
"Work has always kept me from thinking about my illness, although there was a time when I thought I might not be able to go back. But I fought through the pain and just kept going," she said.
Lynn, who has learning difficulties, was chosen in the category Human Spirit, in the annual awards organised by Shaw Trust, the UK's largest provider of employment services for disabled and disadvantaged people.
Lynn has worked for more than 30 years at Shaw Trust Industries Doncaster, formerly on the factory floor but this year after undergoing major surgery she has a less arduous new job in the canteen.
"Lynn is a very courageous and special person, She's shy and modest and doesn't think she should be recognised but everyone here thinks she's done tremendously well," said her boss, Project Development Officer Anne McGrane.
"She's suffered some serious illness over the years but has always fought through to come back, her job is her life and she loves it," Anne added.

JO'S WINNING WAYS

THE special leadership qualities, which are an inspiration to one grateful employee, have now won Southend-on-Sea boss Jo Cox a prestigious achievement award with national charity Shaw Trust.
"I was floored when I knew I'd been shortlisted, but to win came as a massive shock. I was humbled that I'd been nominated at all. I honestly didn't think I was doing anything that special," said Jo, a credit control manger with Countrywide Property Management.
But loyal employee Janet Swanton who has Cerebral Palsy disagreed: "Jo is inspirational. She has transformed my working life. She doesn't see the handicap first, but the person beyond."
Jo was chosen in the category Workplace Mentor in the annual awards organised by Shaw Trust, the UK's largest provider of employment services for disabled and disadvantaged people.
Jo insists she simply treats Janet as other members of her team and believes her responsibility as a manager is to help all staff overcome problems, whatever they may be.
"I was brought up to see everyone as equal. Disability is just a part of life and everyone has their weaknesses, it's a matter of finding ways to overcome them, to me Janet's disability is no different.
"Janet is a fantastic worker, because she is so loyal and hardworking. It's difficult to understand why more employers don't bother to find out what a disabled person's needs are. You have to look past the disability and give people a chance," she said.
Janet also praised the support and help she received from Shaw Trust Development Officer Alex Cameron: "Alex and Jo together are simply the best I could wish for," she said.

CITY'S WINNING WAYS

SOUTHPORT-based employer City Facilities Management's commitment to diversity has won it a prestigious achievement award with national charity Shaw Trust.
"I was delighted to accept the award on behalf of CFM. I'd also like to thank Shaw Trust for helping us to achieve our recruitment and diversity objectives," said Head of Recruitment Stephen Kenvyn.
UK wide facilities management group CFM won the category Large Business Employer at the annual awards organised by Shaw Trust, the UK's largest provider of employment services for disabled and disadvantaged people.
"The support of businesses is the life blood of Shaw Trust, and we are fortunate in having a number of high profile service level agreements with employers," said Shaw Trust MD Ian Charlesworth.
City Facilities Management, which has around 10,000 employees across the UK, is one of Shaw Trust's smaller national employment partners, but looks set to recruit more of the Trust's clients than any other organisation this year.
"They have just set a Shaw Trust record for the most job starts with a national employer partner ­ with 22 in a single month," said Shaw Trust's National Accounts Manager Laurie Scott who nominated the company.
"They are an extremely supportive organisation, providing a dedicated recruitment co-ordinator to support our clients, granting interviews to everyone applying to them via the Trust and they have helped us to deliver an astonishing success rate at interview of over 60%. They have even adapted their recruitment system to make it easier for our clients to apply for jobs with them.

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS!

BASINGSTOKE best mates Matthew Ansell and Richard Morgens' devotion to helping others despite their own disabilities, has won them a prestigious achievement award.
The selfless pair were named STAR Community Champions at the glittering Celebration of Achievement Awards ceremony.
"We are thrilled to have won. We never expected it. We were surprised to even be nominated, but I suppose we have worked hard and overcome quite lot so we should feel proud," said Matthew,
Matthew, who has Asperger's Syndrome, and Richard, who has Downs Syndrome, received their award from tennis star Pat Cash at the ceremony organised by Shaw Trust, the UK's largest provider of employment services for disabled and disadvantaged people.
Matthew, 33, and Richard, 34, who have been good friends for 15 years and live together, not only help and support each other, but spend a large part of their lives helping others in the community.
They set up and run a weekly group for people with learning difficulties and autistic spectrum disorders, called Speakeasy Advocacy, to help people of all ages gain more independence.
They run a club for school leavers with learning difficulties, help children excluded from school and Matthew organises a group for people with Aspergers Syndrome, called Virtual Friends.
"Some weeks our feet don't touch the ground because we are so busy. But we get a real buzz out of helping people - often they just want someone to talk to," said Matthew who is also writing about his condition.
"I want to write about my experiences to help both those with the condition but also people who are close to them - family, carers and professionals who are trying to understand it," he added.
Development Officer Margaret Case who nominated the pair has nothing but praise for their selfless dedication to helping others.
"They are quite remarkable. Their whole aim in life is to help other people overcome their disabilities. They perfectly illustrate the idea of Community Champions.
"I can't think of any other clients who have done so much for other people. They lead fuller lives than a lot of people with no disabilities and are much more supportive of others too," she added.
With the support of the Trust, both Matthew and Richard are in permanent part time work and fit their charity work in around their jobs working at Sainsbury and local company Turnergrahic.
"We want to give something back to the community because both of us have received a lot of help in our lives to overcome our problems. In many ways we are very lucky," Richard added.

PETER'S WINNING PASSION TO HELP

A passion for helping other people succeed helped Hampshire man Peter Hooker to win his Shaw Trust STAR award.
"I feel very humbled by this. I was very happy to be nominated but to get something as wonderful as this I never expected," said Peter, 45 from Lee-on-Solent, who works as a Development Officer for the Trust in Hampshire.
"I really do have the job of my dreams ­ its very rare to find a role that satisfies you in every way but for me this is it. I deal with all sections of society from company directors to people who've been out of work for many years and I love it," added Peter, who was chosen in the category Best Member of Staff.
He joined the Trust two years ago after a career in the army, and a four-year spell as a manager with Sodexho Defence Services. He is now responsible for supporting up to 70 Hampshire clients to find and keep suitable employment.
"My father was disabled and so I suppose I've always thought of disability as a natural part of life. I say 'forget the disability and look at the ability'. I am a great believer in people having a level playing field to work from.
"I am always willing to fight the client's corner but at the same time, having been an employer, I can also support and understand things from their point of view," he said.
Peter believes being open minded, dedicated and approachable are the vital qualities Shaw Trust staff must possess and he plans to stay and progress in the Trust in the future.
"Although I work on my own, I am part of a team which offers great support within a dynamic organisation which thrives on change," he added.

INSPIRATIONAL CLAIRE IS HONOURED

AN inspirational Teesside woman who spent the last years of her life helping disabled and disadvantaged people to find jobs, has been honoured with a posthumous achievement award by the national charity she worked for.
Claire Forsdyke who died in May aged 28, after battling ill health following a heart and double lung transplant, so inspired colleagues and clients she was awarded Shaw Trust's first ever STAR Special Recognition Award.
Managing Director Ian Charlesworth presented the award to her mother Pat Midgley at a glittering Celebration of Achievement Awards Ceremony at the Café Royal in London on November 22.
"Never forget that, even as she faded, Claire taught us never to give up, always be positive and to fight for what we deserve," said mum Pat, who also works for the Trust, the UK's largest provider of employment services for disabled and disadvantaged people.
"The award is tinged with sadness because the winner is no longer with us but Claire brought light to many lives with her enthusiasm, charisma, flair and professionalism," said Ian Charlesworth.
Claire first joined the Trust's project in Stockton, Teeside as a volunteer in February 2003. She was still recovering from a heart and double lung transplant the previous May and despite complications such as MRSA, a stroke, seizures and septicemia, she wanted to ease her way back into 'real life' after being out of work for two and a half years.
In recognition of her hard work and success in Stockton, Claire was soon offered a position as a Development Officer in the North East, covering a huge area from Teesside to Berwick where she quickly dealt with a backlog of people who needed placements.
"Claire's disability was far greater than a lot of the clients she was helping. She was an absolute inspiration to them," said Shaw Trust colleague June Clarke, who nominated her for the award.
"Most service users and employers will remember Claire, but many had no idea that she was also a Workstep client herself.
"Some days just walking and talking was a major effort. She knew her days were numbered, but she was so determined to carry on working. "Even days before she died she was still talking about her clients and what she was going to do for them," she added.
In her final year Claire was one of the most successful officers in the country helping some 60 clients into work.
"Claire was so central to our team. She had such strength of character and determination," recalls her boss, Area Employment Manager Barbara Rothwell.
"When she was undergoing treatment at the hospital she was still handing out her business cards, offering to help people when they were ready to go back to work," she added.
Mum Pat remembers her brave daughter living every day to the full. "As if she knew her new found health was too good to be true, Claire's last year was spent in a frenzy of activity. She dined at Gordon Ramsay's restaurant at Claridges in London, had holidays and acquired a vast wardrobe. 
On October 6, her second wedding anniversary, Claire became breathless, developing the first of many bouts of pleurisy.
"Little did we know it was the start of yet another terminal illness" said Pat.
She had radiotherapy to 'knock out' her lymph glands and immune system but it was not enough to sustain her. Claire died on May 1 this year. 
Colleagues from her team have since donated some £800 in her name to the transplant Unit at Freeman Hospital in Newcastle where she was treated. The money came from Progress to Work payments generated by officers who took over Claire's clients.
"Claire's work was absolutely fundamental to her and she never missed the chance to help to spread the word about the Trust. The success she enjoyed in her job was down to sheer determination and strength of character. She was an inspiration," Barbara added.

TEAMWORK WINS THE DAY

TEAMWORK and a willingness to help others have helped 17 members of a Scottish volunteer group win a prestigious achievement award with National Charity Shaw Trust.
The Dunfermline Volunteer Group were presented with the STAR award by international tennis champion Pat Cash at a glittering Celebration of Achievement Awards ceremony at London's Café Royal on Tuesday, (November 22nd).
"It was impossible to select one volunteer from the team because they have all made an amazing contribution to our service," said Volunteer Co-ordinator Ann Dixon who works at the project based in Elgin St Industrial Estate, Dunfermline.
"More than 70 per cent of our volunteers are disabled themselves but they have demonstrated outstanding commitment and support in all areas of our service," said Ann, who nominated the group.
The group won in the Volunteer category at the annual awards organised by Shaw Trust, the UK's largest provider of employment services for disabled and disadvantaged people.
"This is one of the most important days in our calendar, because it gives us the chance to publicly recognise the people who support our work," said Shaw Trust MD Ian Charlesworth.
"This year we have helped over 40,000 people to break down the barriers to employment, and we couldn't have done that without the employers, partners, staff and of course the clients who have turned their lives around.
"Those nominated have been spotlighted because of their wonderful achievements. The Awards turn each one of them into a star for the day, but in truth they are stars all year round."
Gary Fleming who has Raynauds Disease has worked as a volunteer training IT skills on the project for more than two years and has recently joined as a member of staff.
"I used to come here and work after my night shift job but I enjoyed the work here so much I decided to make it my permanent employment. It's a great atmosphere here and the flexibility of this job really suits me," he said.
Fellow volunteer Jennifer Galloway wanted to do something to help others when she gave up work two years ago so she started working as a volunteer one day a week.
"I look forward to coming every week because it's very much a two way thing. I'm helping others but it's very rewarding there's a lot of job satisfaction and I enjoy the team spirit," she said.
The project helps 35 service users with varying degrees of learning disabilities to gain experience and new training and eventually progress into work.
"Our volunteers offer vital support in the many areas we offer including craft and woodwork, IT, job club, coffee bar, allotment, discussion groups and also take over the running of some of them with the staff.
"Often volunteers will move into work but many just gain a great deal of personal satisfaction from volunteering," she added.
For Elsie Patterson the group has meant a chance to get out of the house, learn new skills despite health problems that prevented her working.
"I've enjoyed helping others but Its been good therapy for me too because I've got a real boost out of seeing people progress," she said.