Personal Achiever of the Year Award
(19-24)

Lucy, 24, was diagnosed with Ushers Syndrome nearly three years ago. She is deaf and also has Retinitus Pigmentosa, a degenerative eye disease. She is unable to hear without hearing aids and her eyesight is slowly deteriorating.

But despite the shock of having to cope with her condition, Lucy decided that it wasn’t going to prevent her from getting on with her life. She plays hockey, has learned to use a guide cane and last year won a place on Somerset County Council’s Apprenticeship programme. She now works as a clerical assistant in the Council’s Frameworks team and has also taken on the role of Disability Representative and has contributed to improving services for disabled people in the workplace.

“I have not let my disability impede my enthusiasm for learning and working and as a result I have fast-tracked my Apprenticeship and Advanced Apprenticeship,” she says. “Being honest about my disability and discussing it with others has enabled me to gain respect and understanding from my colleagues, which makes the working environment more comfortable and pleasant.”

Lucy’s role centres on supporting the Frameworks Team, which involves regular communication with internal and external customers.   She performs key tasks such as updating and maintaining databases, filing, photocopying and collation of documents.  As well as updating her departments internet site and procedure manuals.

Lucy completed her Advanced Apprenticeship nine months early which is an outstanding achievement and is described by her endorser, Carys Evans of Somerset County Training, as “effervescent and enthusiastic in everything that she does”.