A passionate advocate for disability rights has won this year’s Young Person/Youth Achievement nasen Award.
We were delighted to watch Jemima Browning, from Yorkshire, collect the award, sponsored by Thrive, at a glittering black-tie event held at the Waldorf Hilton Hotel in London this evening.
The awards are organised by the charity National Association of Special Educational Needs (nasen) which aims to promote good practice for special and additional needs in education.
Growing up with her brother Will, who has Down’s Syndrome, and watching him struggle to experience the same chances to succeed as his friends, Jemima has been ignited by a passion to ensure young people with disabilities have equal opportunities as their mainstream peers. Jemima is an influential young woman who has stood up for the rights of young people with SEND. She has spoken on BBC Radio York and appeared on BBC Look North about her passion to improve opportunities for all people with physical and learning disabilities.
She feels strongly that society should never put limits on what can be achieved and insist that people see the individual and their potential first and their disability second. She strives to ensure society becomes tolerant, accepting and unified and feel the best way is for young people like them to show how this can be done.
Jemima is a worthy winner of this important award and we’d like to extend our congratulations to all those shortlisted and the other category winners.
Tonight’s event, which was hosted by comedian and magician, Pete Firman, saw 200 guests come together to recognise and celebrate the fantastic work being done by individuals, schools, and organisations to ensure children and young people with SEND can go on to reach their full potential.
Chief Executive of nasen, Professor Adam Boddison said: “It’s an honour that we as a charity are able to bring together a host of people from across the SEND community in order to celebrate and reward some of the most inspirational work that has taken place over the last 12 months. “
Click here to find out more about nasen and this year’s awards ceremony.
Click here to find out how the Thrive Approach supports the wellbeing of all children and young people.