A Liverpool Hope University academic has received a special award in recognition of her work with an acclaimed disability charity.
Dr Ella Houston is a lecturer in Disability Studies at Hope and a core member of the University’s Centre for Culture & Disability Studies.
She also coordinates external partnerships and work placements for Disability Studies students in the School of Social Sciences. .
And since 2018, Disability Studies students at Hope have completed work placements at Daisy Inclusive UK, an internationally recognised charity that offers support to disabled people across all age groups in the local community.
Based in the city’s Everton district, the charity facilitates accessible social and sports activities and offers specific support regarding access to education and employment.
Now that important connection between Hope and Daisy Inclusive UK has been recognised as Dr Houston was handed the 'Daisy Inclusive Partner Award' at the charity’s annual ceremony this week.
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Dave Kelly, director of Daisy Inclusive UK, describes the charity's mission as working towards the 'inclusion of all disabled people to reach their true potential and this is to be done by breaking down the barriers within society'.
He also praised Disability Studies at Liverpool Hope University as being at the ‘forefront of disability issues in the UK’.
Meanwhile Dr Houston, who has been a Trustee of the charity since 2019, added: “One of my favourite aspects of my job is building relationships and working with external partners.
“It has been a pleasure, over the years, to build such a strong relationship with Daisy Inclusive UK - who bring to life the core values of Disability Studies.
“Disability Studies students who have completed placements at Daisy Inclusive UK have described the experience as one of the most meaningful aspects of their degree. It is a privilege to work with Dave Kelly and his colleagues at the charity and I am very grateful for the award".
Daisy Inclusive UK says it’s the ‘Can Do Charity That Does’.
Members of the charity deliver training programmes and workshops - which focus on issues relating to disability, access, inclusion and hate crime - for organisations, employers, schools and universities.
Disabled people who want to report hate crime are able to access guidance and support from Daisy Inclusive UK.
And in recent years, Daisy Inclusive UK received funding from the Big Lottery Community Fund to deliver the SMILE initiative - a three year long project that supports disabled and vulnerable people in building Self-Motivation, Inclusive Learning and Enrichment.
** If you are interested in finding out more about Daisy Inclusive UK please visit their website: https://daisyuk.com. You can also contact via email: info@daisyuk.com