Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Top prizes for Airdrie in national awards
Two winners at inaugural learning disability ceremony
Airdrie had two winners at the inaugural national learning disability awards.
Youth group member and volunteer Kirsty Allan won the youth achievement prize; while Monklands Hospital worker Ross Johnstone was honoured in the employee recognition category.
The awards, run by the Scottish Commission for Learning Disability, were set up to celebrate the “stories and achievements of people with learning disabilities and the people who support them and make visible those individuals excelling in areas where people with learning disabilities are rarely represented”.
Airdrie woman Kirsty, 26, was recognised for her work in setting up a youth group at the town’s @home centre. Members support others in the community, with one of their projects supporting Syrian refugees and including a welcome event with live music, guest speakers and donations.
She also volunteers with the town’s Parkinsons Self-Help Group and runs a social media site keeping people with disabilities up to date with local events.
Kirsty said: “I felt excited when my name was called out as the winner of the award. I really enjoy helping other people.
“I get to meet other people who I wouldn’t have known if I didn’t come to the group; I meet and welcome new people, and for those who have special needs or have mobility problems, I make sure they can get in. I also help people through their Duke of Edinburgh’s award.”
Airdrie locality support services worker Elaine O’Dowd nominated Kirsty for the prestigious award, and was thrilled to see her collect the top prize in her category at the event at the Grand Central Hotel in Glasgow.
She said: “Kirsty is so deserving of the recognition for what she’s doing to encourage young people to be involved in their community, helping other young people with disabilities become involved in local activities and contributing to integration.
“When new people come in, they’re looking up to her to see what she’s achieved – it gives people hope that they can do just what she does, and she’s just a great ambassador for people with disabilities to say, ‘we can be involved’.
“Kirsty was one of the founder members of a youth group that was for people with disabilities, but now it’s very much mixed group and that’s a lot to do with her. She’s been on a journey that’s absolutely amazing.”
Fellow local winner Ross Johnstone was honoured for his work as a medical laboratory assistant at Monklands Hospital.
The 22-year-old started out in his role as an intern via Project Search, a course hosted by employers including NHS Lanarkshire, New College and the council to improve the chances of young people with learning difficulties in developing their employability skills.
Ross impressed his team so much he was offered a permanent position; and four years on, is now a supportive mentor to the current group of interns, and is described as “a real role model for those looking to join the workforce”.
He said of his award: “I feel very proud of myself, and my family and the staff at Monklands are proud of me, too.
“Everyone was shouting, ‘go Ross!’ when I won”
“It was surprising but also overwhelming to be nominated, and I was over the moon.”
Ross’ role involves opening and numbering samples, preparing them for analysis, office duties and assisting lab staff; and Monklands staff have praised his “positive attitude, winning personality and professionalism”.
He was nominated for the award by Louise Brown, of the hospital’s biochemistry department, who said: “His personality really shines through every day.
“It’s given him the confidence to realise that he can do things, and coming to work every day and being part of the team has allowed him to show exactly who he is and given him the confidence to become independent, which is great to see.”