A SPORTS Inclusion assistant with a Warrington-based charity has won the prestigious “Newcomer Award” at the National Learning Disabilities and Autism Awards.
Oliver Thomason works for social care charity Community Integrated Care and was awarded the title for inspiring thousands of people with support needs to get more active and reach for their dreams.
Organised by social care publication, Care Talk, the awards celebrate excellence in the support for people with learning disabilities and autism and the individuals or organisations who go above and beyond in the sector.
As sports inclusion assistant for Community Integrated Care, Oliver co-produces new physical activity solutions for people who have learning disabilities, inspires people to become more physically active, and works with leading sporting agencies to champion opportunities for people who have support needs.
The Newcomer Award is awarded to someone who is new to the sector, having started work in social care over the past 12 months, and who has achieved amazing things.
Starting paid employment in social care in January, Oliver has already inspired thousands of people to get more active, mentored many, and even championed social inclusion through one of the world’s biggest sports events. Sharing his lived-experience of having a learning disability, his work has been vital to the growth and success of the charity’s sporting initiatives.
His successes have included championing the Community Integrated Care Learning Disability Super League – a ground-breaking adapted version of rugby league, which gives more than 200 people with learning disabilities or autism the chance to play for the sport’s biggest teams at major Super League events.
Oliver has also been key to more than 300 people who have learning disabilities signing up for the first ever dedicated volunteering programme for people who have learning disabilities and autism at a major event – the Rugby League World Cup 2021.
As official Inclusion Ambassador for the Rugby League World Cup, he champions disability inclusion on a global scale and has inspired volunteers across the country to access the platform to education, opportunities and greater independence.
Winning this award is just another example of how Oliver, who has a learning disability himself, is breaking down barriers and showcasing the incredible things that people with learning disabilities can achieve when inclusivity is taken into account.
He said: “I am over the moon to have won the Newcomer Award. I was up against some amazing people. It means so much that my hard work, helping others to get involved in sports and new opportunities, is being recognised at a national awards ceremony. I hope that this inspires others and shows anyone with a learning disability that anything is possible, and you really can achieve your dreams.”
John Hughes, director of Partnerships and Communities at Community Integrated Care, said: “We are incredibly proud of Oliver for this fantastic achievement and everything that he has achieved so far.He has played a crucial role in helping us break down barriers, further social inclusion, and inspire the people we support to get involved with life-changing opportunities. “
Community Integrated Care scored a double success at the awards evening, also picking up the Sporting Chance Award for their partnership with the Rugby League World Cup 2021 in creating the first ever volunteering and personal-development programme for people who have learning disabilities and autism – a project which Oliver has been heavily involved in.
