Campaigner on award list
EX-MARINE NOMINATED FOR TOP GONG
VETERANS campaigner Tony Wright has been shortlisted in the lifetime achievement category of this year’s national Social Worker of the Year award.
Tony, from North Tyneside, is founder and CEO of multi-award winning Forward Assist which provides support and guidance to former servicemen and women who experience difficulties in adjusting to a new life as a civilian.
After being medically discharged from the Royal Marines he re-trained as a social worker and his nomination is in recognition of his work since then.
Tony said: “After my career in the Royal Marines was cut short due to a serious shoulder injury in 1981, I like many others, had to reinvent myself after leaving the services.
“Retraining and qualifying as a social worker in the early 1990s was probably the most significant event of my life, as I have been able to provide the veterans referred to our service with bespoke, ‘needs led,’ and ‘person centred’ interventions that put the individual and care coordination at the centre of everything we do. This has enabled many veterans to live great lives filled with passion, purpose, service, connection and growth.”
The Lifetime Achievement award is sponsored by the British Association of Social Workers (BASW) and Dr. Ruth Allen, CEO, said: “This award celebrates an individual who has dedicated their entire working life to social work and has consistently made a positive difference within their community.
“To make the shortlist for this award is a phenomenal achievement in itself and we wish all finalists the very best of luck.”
Tony is one of three people from the North East who have been shortlisted for awards. Kelly Loan from Sunderland City Council and Claire Evans, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council have both been nominated in the Adult Social Worker of the Year category.
They will find out if they have won at a prestigious awards ceremony in London later this November. Category winners will compete against each other to be named the ‘Overall Social Worker of the Year 2019.’
The awards are organised by The Social Work Awards charity, which aims to improve public awareness and understanding of social work by showing the positive impact of social workers in the wide range of roles they undertake.
The awards ceremony takes place at the Royal Lancaster London Hotel on November 29.
■ Visit www.socialworkawards.com
Retraining and qualifying as a social worker in the early 1990s was probably the most significant event of my life