REACT worker wins oustanding award

REACT project worker Stephen Smith has won the Derek Russell Outstanding Leader Award at the North West Self Advocacy awards in Blackpool.

Stephen, of Clitheroe, was nominated by Caritas Care’s REACT service and Castle Supported Living for his hard work and commitment to inspiring other people with a learning disability.REACT is a peer advocacy project for people with learning disabilities in Lancashire run by Caritas Care. It employs people with a learning disability who advocate on behalf of their learning disabled peers, sharing issues important to them to help make their lives better.Stephen, who has worked and volunteered for Caritas Care’s REACT service for more than six years, said: “I am over the moon, it’s a dream come true for me.” James Hughes, REACT team manager, said: “We are absolutely delighted for Stephen and what he has achieved, we cannot express enough how proud we are of his success. A worthy winner.” A spokesman for Castle Supported Living added: “Everyone is really pleased for Stephen. We would like to congratulate him on this brilliant achievement. He is a true leader.” The North West Self Advocacy conference, held by Pathways Associates, enables people with learning disabilities to discuss important issues affecting them and their peers.