Celebrating excellence: Autism Hampshire and Avenues colleagues shortlisted for national awards

23rd June 2025

Four outstanding individuals and teams from Autism Hampshire and Avenues will be recognised at a national awards event for their dedication to improving the lives of autistic people and those with learning disabilities.

They have been shortlisted as finalists in the National Learning Disabilities & Autism Awards 2025, which celebrate exceptional contributions to care and inclusion across the UK.

Shortlisted colleagues include Katie Board, Autism Hampshire’s Service Manager for Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) and External Training, shortlisted for The Manager Award; the Oliver McGowan Training Team shortlisted for the Oliver McGowan Training Award; Emma McGuigan, Avenues Service Manager in Surrey, shortlisted for the Supporting Older People with Learning Disabilities Award; and Victoria Orsini, Specialist Autism Trainer at Autism Hampshire, shortlisted for the Making a Difference Award.

The nominations highlight the compassion, innovation, and leadership demonstrated by staff working across Avenues Group.

The winners will be announced at a ceremony at the ICC Birmingham on 4 July 2025.

The Manager Award

Katie Board, Service Manager for Information, Advice & Guidance and External Training at Autism Hampshire, was nominated for her commitment to inclusion and her calm, respectful leadership.

Under her direction, the Information, Advice & Guidance team responded to over 5,200 enquiries last year, many from individuals in crisis or with complex needs.

Katie also leads Autism Hampshire’s external training programme. In the last year alone, her team delivered 81 Oliver McGowan seminars and supported over 700 workshop bookings from schools, parents, and autistic adults.

One delegate shared: “My mind was blown away. I have worked with autistic adults for 15 years and cannot say that my training has even touched on the content we explored in this programme.”

Katie built the Oliver McGowan Training team from the ground up, supporting autistic and learning-disabled people as trainers. From easy-read contracts and accessible interviews to peer support and one-to-one check-ins, her leadership is inclusive, calm and grounded in respect.

Her manager describes her as “truly committed to person-centred care” - someone who leads with humility, vision, and heart.

The Oliver McGowan Training Award

Autism Hampshire’s Oliver McGowan Training Team was nominated due to their life changing work and passion.

The team delivers the Oliver McGowan Tier 2 training, commissioned by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust on behalf of The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board. It is named after Oliver McGowan, whose death highlighted the need for health and social care staff to have better skills, knowledge and understanding of the needs for autistic people and those with a learning disability.

With 8 autistic trainers, 4 learning-disabled trainers and 4 facilitators, the team is powered by lived experience. One trainer said the role helped them build confidence in adapting to change, while a parent shared that their family member had become “more confident and bubbly” since joining.

The team’s sessions are praised for “squashing unconscious biases” and improving understanding across health and care sectors. Their sessions are welcoming and respectful of people’s needs, helping to create lasting changes in how services support autistic people and those with learning disabilities.

Their impact also extends beyond the classroom - wider initiatives NHS delegates consult with them on include improving access to addiction services to designing Southampton General Hospital’s new Patient and Family Support Hub.

Supporting Older People with Learning Disabilities Award

Emma McGuigan, Service Manager, at Avenues in Surrey was nominated for her exceptional leadership in supporting older people with learning disabilities.

When a long-time resident’s health declined, Emma and her team ensured his final days were filled with joy and dignity. Knowing his love of buses, she transformed his bedroom into a bus-themed haven.

After his funeral, his brother presented Emma’s team with a heartfelt poem, including the lines: “Thank you for your kindness, which can never be repaid / And for your understanding, and the difference it’s made.”

Emma shared: “They [the local team at the service] felt an immense sense of pride and fulfilment in supporting this gentleman and his family. Witnessing the family’s gratitude and love reinforced the team’s commitment to delivering compassionate end-of-life care, highlighting the importance of dignity, respect, and connection in these final moments.”

Her manager said: “This is just one example of Emma’s extraordinary and consistent dedication to the people we support. Alongside her many years of experience of supporting older people with complex health needs, she still has the passion of someone who is just setting out on their social care career.

“We all have huge admiration for what she does and the way she does it; she is a role model for new managers and an inspiration to everyone around her.”

Making a Difference Award

Victoria Orsini is a Specialist Autism Trainer at Autism Hampshire which includes facilitating the Oliver McGowan training and supporting the Lived Experienced Trainers.

Victoria, who was diagnosed autistic five years ago, has been shortlisted for her work promoting community inclusion, accessibility, and fairness for autistic people.

As well as being a trainer at Autism Hampshire, Victoria also qualified as a yoga teacher and has adapted classes and environments to teach neurodiverse friendly yoga. She also teaches chair yoga in care homes to people with dementia.

From co-designing training with lived experience voices to supporting meaningful community participation, Victoria’s work has made a clear impact on people attending her training sessions and workshops.

Join the team

To find out more about joining Avenues and Autism Hampshire, view our current vacancies here: careers.avenuesgroup.org.uk.