Why do children with learning disabilities often find themselves socially isolated? It’s because most mainstream youngsters have no idea how they might behave, or what they might say, and are afraid.

Rachel Ucko has been breaking down these barriers by visiting primary schools and youth groups, often accompanied by young people with learning disabilities, proving there’s absolutely nothing to be scared of.  

Rachel, above, won an award for her work last month at Kisharon where she is Community Inclusion Coordinator. 

She was among the employees of the learning disabilities charity recognised for their excellence, dedication, compassion and innovation – all qualities for which Kisharon is renowned.

Kisharon HR Manager Lee Zucker said: “Our award winners are outstanding. But judging by the number of runners up in each category as well, it’s clear that work of this calibre isn’t the exception at Kisharon, but goes on every day.”

Several winners were recognised for their actions during the pandemic, like Anthony Duruji, a Support Worker who isolated with the man he cares for when he caught Covid. The two stayed together in the Kisharon client’s supported living flat in Hendon, even when Anthony caught Covid himself. Anthony said: “I wanted to give him the reassurance of a familiar face and make sure he had everything he needed.”

Janice Marriott and Laura Gigi of Tuffkid Nursery and Trevor Sanders

Another award winner, Neha Dhakar, Manager of Kisharon’s Childs Hill Library, came to the rescue after adults with learning disabilities lost their much-loved jobs when the pandemic forced employers to close their businesses. Neha arranged for these men and women, desperate for something to do, to hand deliver and collect books for the library members who were unable to leave their homes.

Site Manager Trevor Sanders kept services running during Covid, responding to calls at unsocial hours, and even going to properties where the virus was present. 

Aviva Braunold effectively transformed her own kitchen into a studio where she ran Zoom cookery sessions to keep people we support busy when their other daily activities were curtailed. 

Neha Dhakar and Ephraim Cohen

Determined and diligent, Aviva is still keeping them all occupied. Working with people we support, she has stockpiled quantities of neatly packaged dried apple rings and dark Belgian chocolate coated cranberries and almonds which will be sold soon for Rosh Hashanah at Kisharon’s Gift and Homeware Store, Equal.

Another award went to the staff team at Kisharon’s Tuffkid Nursery, which is celebrating its third successive outstanding report from Ofsted. Staff are renowned for going above and beyond to provide the best for the children and helping them to become confident and independent. 

A support worker job at Kisharon is Ephraim Cohen’s first venture in the care sector and, despite only a year in the post, picked up one of the staff awards. Ephraim was honoured for his involvement in Jewish activities and for showing leadership qualities beyond his job description. 

Lee added: “The clever thinking and compassion shown to those we support is  heartwarming and I pay tribute to not only the award winners but to those who give exceptional care every single day. 

“It is thanks to our staff that Kisharon has become synonymous with high standards of care for people with learning disabilities and has a reputation that engenders pride across the community.”