‘I love working with the kids’

A DEDICATED youth worker has been nominated for a Pride in Oldham award for her inspirational approach to her work.

Lucy Kershaw, a junior club youth zone leader at Mahdlo, was put forward for the award by Andrew and Elaine Robinson after she worked with their son Josh, who has autism.

Josh is just one of the many children with disabilities that Lucy works with.

Josh’s parents credit Lucy with changing his life and said she had positively affected the whole family.

They believe that her dedication to her job and the personal interest she takes in it is extremely important to both the parents and the children.

Mr Robinson said: “When Josh first went to Mahdlo, he would sit under a table and hide.

Bond

“He was very anxious and reluctant to speak to others.

“Lucy went and sat under there with him and eventually got him out and socialising.

“They’ve now built a strong bond and Josh is a lot more sociable, he’s really come out of his shell.

“He participates now and he really enjoys the holiday club.

“She includes young people with disabilities and additional needs like we’ve never seen before, nothing is too much for her.

“She’s an absolutely fantastic inspiration.”

Lucy said she was thrilled and very grateful for the nomination. She said: “The nomination is just brilliant.

“I enjoy my work and I really love spending time with the kids.”