BBC News presenter, Louise Minchin hosted the Sense Awards in London on 1 October. Held by Sense, the awards recognised people for campaigning, volunteering and working for and on behalf of deafblind people.
The calibre of winners was demonstrated by Lex Grandia who received the Lifetime Achievement Award. He has worked on a UN Convention on disability, legislation recognising deafblindness in several countries and in an organisation representing 650 million disabled people worldwide.
Louise Minchin said "I am so impressed by the dedication, innovation and good work of the people I met. The Sense Awards are a great way of recognising those that make a real difference to the lives of deafblind people.”
Richard Brook, Chief Executive of Sense said “These awards show that our passion for supporting and empowering deafblind people is at the heart of everything we do. Our partners and volunteers share this enthusiasm. I would like to congratulate all the winners for their exceptional contributions.”
The full list of winners is:
Deafblind Person of the Year - Keith Hutton
Young Deafblind Person of the Year - Elinor Scott
Volunteer of the Year - Elaine Steer
Local Partnership/ Community - Chipstead Valley Primary School
Exceptional and Sustained Contribution - John Bridge
Team of the Year - Bryndale Avenue
Employee of the Year - Deborah Dowsett
Innovative Practice - The National Practitioner Working Group on Communication
A special Lifetime Achievement Award was given to Lex Grandia.
Photography is available. Contact the press team.
