Muswell Hill resident Celia Webster awarded the British Empire Medal
The award recognises Celia’s role in helping to create more inclusive communities where people of all abilities are valued equally, in particular, her work establishing WAVE’s Challenge Group in Muswell Hill.
Celia started the Challenge Group after struggling both to find ways for her young daughter with learning disabilities to interact with other children, and to meet parents in the same situation as she was.
At the Challenge Group, families support each other through adjustment to the arrival of a child with additional needs. It provides a friendly, caring and relaxing ‘we’re all valued equally’ environment which parents have described as a lifeline.
“Thank goodness for the Challenge Group, where there is a sense of community and support and acceptance”
“Challenge Group, since our very first visit, has been a place in our local community where we can go and see the love and pride we feel in our son reflected back. That means so much.”
The Challenge Group meets on Monday mornings (10.30 – 12.00) at Muswell Hill Methodist Church on Pages Lane and welcomes all parents and carers with babies/toddlers who have additional needs.
The group is part of the charity WAVE for Change (WAVE stands for We’re All Valued Equally). Ian Hardie, Co-chair of WAVE for Change said, “We are so pleased to see Celia get the recognition she deserves. We are proud to see her and WAVE’s work celebrated and hope this award will inspire others to create more opportunities for mixing to happen up and down the country”.
More details can be found at waveforchange.org.uk
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