Future Directions CIC could win up to eight awards at this year’s National Stars of Learning Disabilities and Autism Awards. The UK’s leading non-profit health and social care provider supports people with learning disabilities, autism and complex care needs. Among its eight awards, the organisation is nominated for The Exceptional Employer Award.
As well as providing person-centred support services, the people they support play a great part in providing person-led groups. These include The Friends for Life Group, where people supported by Future Directions CIC and their wider community, can meet new people and take part in activities from inclusive choirs to stadium tours and arts and crafts activities.
The Friends for Life Group is nominated for The Above and Beyond Team Award in Northern England. Central to some of The Friends for Life Group’s activities is River Beal Café and Community Hub. The café is nominated for The Community Galaxy Award, providing a focal point for the people of Milnrow.
Since opening in 2020, it has hosted many live events, wellbeing workshops and craft sessions. It has also hosted Christmas and Summer gigs by The Leaping Frogs. Led by Managing Director Paula Braynion, Kevin Phoenix, and Lorraine Chapman-Linnet, the trio of musicians has appeared at Learning Disability England conferences and this year’s Care Sector’s Got Talent competition. The group are shortlisted for The Joy Maker Award. Future Directions’ Managing Director, Paula, is also nominated for The Dazzling Director Award.
Two of Future Directions’ person-led groups - The SPICE Group (Supporting People in Community Employment) and The Getting it Right Team - are nominated for The Co-Production Champion Award. This recognises their roles in raising living standards for the people supported by the organisation. Nominated for The Lifetime Luminary Award is Paul Lord, the organisation’s Non-Verbal Communication Lead.
“It is an incredible honour to be recognised at these national awards, and to receive eight nominations is something everyone across Future Directions can be immensely proud of.
“For me, these nominations are a testament to our amazing, values-led team and the people we support. Every day, our colleagues go above and beyond to live and breathe our values, putting people first, believing in people’s potential and finding new ways to make a genuine difference.
“Our ambition has never been simply to support people to live good lives. We want the people we support to live great lives, filled with opportunity, choice, achievement, relationships and experiences that really matter to them.
“I am incredibly proud of everyone involved, and whatever happens on the night, these nominations are a wonderful recognition of the difference our teams and the people we support make every single day.”
The Stars of Learning Disabilities and Autism Awards will be held at Manchester Deansgate Hotel on Tuesday 8th December 2026.
