Cygnet Sherwood Lodge in Mansfield and Cygnet Wast Hills in Kings Norton have each been shortlisted for an award at the National Learning Disabilities and Autism Awards 2019.
At Cygnet Sherwood Lodge, therapy coordinator Sarah Berry was shortlisted for the Making a Difference Award for her work to create a Forest School at the service. Forest Schools support learning within a natural outdoor environment, focusing on developing personal, social and emotional life skills.
“I am so proud of Sarah for being the driving force behind this fantastic project. She really does make a difference every day in the lives of the men we support.”Claire Griffiths, Service Manager – Cygnet Sherwood Lodge
Cygnet Wast Hills is shortlisted for the Great Autism Practice Award for their work to stay at the forefront of autism care through creating and delivering innovative ideas, as well as encouraging staff to devise new initiatives to improve each individual’s quality of life.
These include training local emergency services and schools to enhance their autism awareness and improve their communication and engagement with individuals with autism.
For Cygnet Wast Hills, this is their third shortlisting for this award in four years. Having won the award in both 2016 and 2018, service manager Amy Childs is hoping they can make it a hat trick.
“This string of nominations shows that we are consistently providing an outstanding service for the people we support. I am incredibly proud of the whole team.”Amy Childs, Service Manager – Cygnet Wast Hills
Cygnet Sherwood Lodge and Cygnet Wast Hills are both high dependency complex care services supporting men with learning disabilities and complex needs, with Cygnet Wast Hills specialising in supported men with autism. Both services have the top rating of Outstanding with the regulator Care Quality Commission.