MATT Price, Sports Inclusion Assistant for Warrington-based social care charity, Community Integrated Care, was awarded the prestigious ‘Newcomer Award’ at this year’s National Learning Disabilities & Autism Awards.
The National Learning Disabilities and Autism awards celebrate the very best in the care sector, across the UK, with the Newcomer Award being awarded to someone who is new to social care and has already made an outstanding impact in their role.
Matt began paid employment in August 2022, joining Community Integrated Care as a Sports Inclusion Assistant. Having a learning disability himself, Matt has inspired hundreds of people with care and support needs to engage in sport, gain new skills, and access once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. As part of his role, Matt provides mentoring, support and direction through community programmes and international sporting events.
Judges said, “Matt is a real inspiration, using his lived experience to support others with a Learning Disability and/or Autism to engage with sport and achieve great things. He supports people to not only live healthier lives, but also engage and volunteer at major sporting events. We certainly haven’t heard the last of Matt Price, as his desire and passion to help others will take him far.”
Community Integrated Care was also awarded the Sporting Chance accolade on the evening, for their Inclusive Volunteering Programme in partnership with Sport England, Rugby League World Cup 2021, UEFA Women’s EURO 2022, and World Gymnastics Championships 2022. The first-of-its-kind programme has already transformed the lives of hundreds of people with learning disabilities, across the UK, through providing aspirational volunteering opportunities at major sporting events.
On winning his award, Matt Price said, “It was an incredible feeling when they announced I had won – I couldn’t believe it. I am so proud and really grateful for my team who have supported me to believe in myself and to get to where I am today.”
He continued, “I absolutely love my job – I’ve gotten to make so many new friends, learn so many new skills, take part in some really exciting experiences, and most importantly, change people’s lives. To be named as Newcomer of the Year for supporting people with learning disabilities and autism means so much to me. I hope it will also inspire other people with learning disabilities to try new things and believe in themselves.”
John Hughes, Director of Partnerships and Communities at Community Integrated Care, said, “From volunteering with our charity to being recognised as the best Newcomer of the Year in the social care sector, it has been wonderful to see Matt’s journey and his impact on those around him – we are incredibly proud of him. This award is so well-deserved and a testament to Matt’s passion and commitment to developing in his career and making a real impact on peoples’ lives. I can’t wait to see the incredible things he will undoubtedly achieve in the future.”
“We are also thrilled to have been awarded the Sporting Chance accolade for our ground-breaking Inclusive Volunteering Programme. As a social care charity, inclusion and empowerment are of at the heart of everything we do, and it has been incredible to see the impact that this programme has had already. We’ve provided hundreds of people who access social care with exciting opportunities, new skills and a supportive community where they can dare to dream.”
“We’d like to say a huge thank you to Sport England, Rugby League World Cup 2021, UEFA Women’s EURO 2022, and World Gymnastics Championships 2022 for supporting our vision, championing disability inclusion and creating life-changing experiences that really do support people to live the best lives possible.”
Community Integrated Care employs 5,000 colleagues nationally. To find out more about the charity’s vacancies, and what it’s like to work for Community Integrated Care, visit www.workincare.co.uk
