Optalis strike it lucky at local Oscars ceremony!

On Wednesday February 5, the Learning Disability Partnership Boad (LDPB) held their first Partnership Board Oscars - the aim of which was to recognise the good work done by local individuals and groups working with the organisation. The ceremony, attended by over 100 people connected to the board, formed part of LDPB's Annual General Meeting. The LDPB took the opportunity to provide a report on the board's activity over the past 12 months, and involve members on setting the work plan for this year.

One of our Business Area Managers, Anne Lawn, won Best Newcomer Award. Anne was acknowledged as having made a real effort to get involved with the LDPB. She agreed to take on the role of Housing Champion for the group, and has worked alongside LDPB's Sarah Griffiths to get the Housing Sub Group going again. Anne's always keen to share information with other members, and has recently put forward some ideas for the board's monthly Big Meeting. Finally, Anne contributed further by offering to run a session at the LDPB's upcoming 'Ageing Matters' event in March.

Optalis won a second LDPB Oscar for Partnership Working. Jodie Reichelt, Partnership Coordinator, said: "The Partnership Working category was a difficult one to decide on because so many of the services and groups involved in our network have shown willingness to work with us in the last year. However, we felt that the Optalis Day Service Members Committee deserved a special acknowledgement because they have worked really hard this past year. This particular group have been coming along to our self advocate workshops for a while now, but in the last year they've been taking a more active lead in the workshops – most notably the 'Growing Older' workshop.

"It is great to see that they are taking the issues from workshops back to Optalis so that the good work can be carried on."

Jodie continued: "It is the people and groups involved in the Partnership Board, who make it so special. Without their support we wouldn't work, so we are really grateful to everyone who gets involved. The awards are our way of saying 'thank you' to a few of the people and groups who have stood out and spoken up for us in the last year."

To find out more about how to get involved in the Wokingham LDPB, contact 05600 766114 or email: admin@partnershipboard.org.uk