WOKINGHAM charity CLASP is celebrating after being named as a recipient of the Queen’s Award – the honours system for the voluntary sector.
CLASP – Listen To Us are a group of volunteers from across the borough who help adults with learning disabilities.
It is one of 241 charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive the award this year and has been picked from hundreds of entries.
This, they say, shows that the voluntary sector is thriving and full of innovative ideas to make life better for those around them.
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The awards are given to groups that conduct work considered to be outstanding, as they seek to help local communities.
Launched in 2002 to celebrate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee, the recipients are announced each year on June 2, the anniversary of the Queen’s Coronation in 1953.
CLASP’s Listen To Us team offers learning disability awareness training across the borough and stems from its belief that everyone should be treated equally.
Staff and self-advocates work to raise awareness of learning disabilities and important issues affecting the local learning disability community.
This includes empowering people with learning disabilities to have the same opportunities and choices as everyone else. Self-advocates are involved in all areas of the charity’s delivery and its Board of Trustees and staff team includes people with learning disabilities.
Representatives of CLASP – Listen To Us will receive the award from James Puxley, the Lord-Lieutenant of Berkshire, later this summer.
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And, assuming covid restrictions allow, two volunteers from CLASP will attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace in May next year to celebrate the award.
Debs Morrison, CLASP manager, said: “I am so proud of the Listen To Us team and their positive approach sharing first-hand experiences to educate others and make the community a better place for those with a learning disability.
“CLASP volunteers, members, staff and trustees all work hard to raise awareness of those with a learning disability, and I am so blessed to be part of this charity.”
Nominations are open for next year’s award, and close on September 15.
