Colours
Businesses across Shropshire are joining forces to support what can only be called a unique event, The Dyslexia Awards.
The Awards are the brainchild of Elizabeth (Eli) Wilkinson, from Telford. Eli said “the Dyslexia Awards have always been something I’ve wanted to do, and now they are a reality”. Eli continued, “there has always been such negativity surrounding dyslexics; what they can’t achieve, but with the awards, we are truly celebrating achievements and strengths as well as raising dyslexia awareness within the county.”
Eli said “the awards are there to inspire, to motivate dyslexics, for people to realise that they can achieve their goals with the right planning, time, determination and sometimes the right support in place.”
With 17 awards available, people of Shropshire have been asked to nominate in various categories such as the ‘Amazing Art Award’, ‘Best Head Teacher’, ‘Entrepreneur Award’, and ‘Shining Star’.
Eli said “Shropshire businesses have been amazing to sponsor the awards; their support and encouragement means so much”.
Award Sponsors include J&PR Ltd., a public relations company based in Wellington.
Rhea Alton, operations director at J&PR Ltd, said: “As soon as we saw Eli had launched these awards we knew we wanted to be part of the business network that signed up to support them”.
Rhea continued “we are sponsoring because we feel those who help and assist children and adults with difficulties that result from dyslexia deserve to be recognised. There are lots of hugely successful businessmen and women that suffer with dyslexia but have received invaluable support from teachers, trainers, their employers and other business people like Eli. This support network deserves to be recognised – and thanked for what they do”.
Realising and celebrating the potential of an individual is something Telford hypnotherapists, Claire McKeown knows only too well. Claire continued “I’m sponsoring the ‘Outstanding Achievement’ Award, which means a lot to me, as many of my hypnotherapy clients have dyslexia and this then has caused them to have confidence and low self esteem issues from their school age and throughout life”.
Rosie Beswick, from ‘Rosie Consulting’ is sponsoring the Entrepreneur Award, Nicola Rust from ‘In the Shed’ is sponsoring the Amazing Art Award, Sally Joyner from ‘In the Loop’ is sponsoring the Best Learning Support Award, Kay Heald from Kay Heald HR is sponsoring the Best Supportive Employer Award, and the Outstanding Personal Achievement Award is being sponsored by Claire Mckeown from Telford based ‘True Potential’.
Nominations for each of the 17 categories opened on March 1st, with the closing date being July 26th. The finalists will be announced on October 26th, and the official awards ceremony at Enginuity is 26th November 2016.
Written by Sophie Eades: Lilac Sky Photography & PR 01.07.16
