Inclusive content- reaching more families

Amy Nolan-Podmore is a 23 year old young person from Bolton. She lives at home with her mum, and her younger brother. Amy kindly agreed to do us some videos explaining EHC processes and SEN support, to families who are Deaf/ HoH. We thought you should know a little more about the inspirational young lady behind them........

Amy is a young lady who has disabilities- from Autism, ADHD, asymmetrical spastic paraplesis, and a hearing impairment. Amy can communicate verbally, and through BSL/SSE. Her disabilities can affect her variably on different days, depending on what kind of day she is having, but there are bad days.

Although the Amy you see today is brimming with confidence and has a busy life, working at Bolton Lads and Girls Club, and being involved in groups and activities, Amy needed additional support in school and tells us she found school a challenging period in her life. Amy says, "I went to a mainstream secondary school and  I found it difficult to fit in. I didn't have much confidence and, although I had a small group of friends, I didn't socialise much- often staying in at breaks and lunch. I was also bullied, which lowered my confidence even more'. 

However, Amy overcame all of this, and has achieved so much in her life already. Amy says, 'My biggest achievements were being presented with an 'Onside Youth Award' last year, connecting with youth zones around the uk. I travelled to London to the Royal Albert Hall for the ceremony, and won 'Individual of the year' award, which I would never have expected! My award was given to me by John Newman and Stuart Lawrence, and I met Prince Harry! This was such a confidence boost.

In her spare time, Amy plays for AFC Masters, which is a disability football club,  plays wheelchair basketball, and enjoys spending time with her friends. 

When asked to sum herself up in three words, Amy says, 'Enthusiastic, kind and loveable', and we would certainly agree!!