Britain's Children's Champion Award

A major and pivotal moment in my personal and professional life was receiving, along with other members of my family, the National Award as Britain's Children's Champion. This moment was a public and very privileged acknowledgement of the work my family members and I had accomplished despite many difficulties and setbacks.

We felt very proud as a family to be invited to a star-studded gala in 10 Downing Street to be celebrated and honoured by celebrities including Simon Cowell, Louis Walsh, Leona Lewis, Westlife and Frank Lampard and many more.

Receiving this award has affirmed my resolve to work with a group of people who have experienced a potentially crippling life-sentence. Personally and professionally, with the support of my family, I am passionately driven and committed to supporting children and adults on their journey into well being.

AchieveNI is currently developing a ‘best practice policy in delivering effective services’ to adults and children whose lives have been hugely impacted in many aspects of living by experience of childhood trauma. Our vision in delivering this service will be energised by our privileged experienced of those survivors who choose to live and thrive in family, community and society rather than be labelled ‘victim’.

On a personal note, I, Mandy would particularly like to thank the following people for accompanying me with their wise words and whole-hearted encouragement: my family, in particular my husband and children, my dearest mother, beautiful sisters and brother, beloved Uncle, dear friends, wonderful colleague Cathy Bell Chairperson CCYP BACP, Lynda Wilson Director Barnardos NI and Norman Porter from Barnardos NI and many others who have supported me in different ways. Thank you