The Bradford Vision Impairment (VI) team was shortlisted to the final three for team of the year, alongside very strong nominations, and on Tuesday 12 December, three members of the VI Team, part of the Sensory Service in Children's Services, travelled to London for the award ceremony. Some of the team watched the event live in MMT (Margaret McMillan Tower), and were delighted to see their colleagues presented with the award. 

The VI team (from the ARCs (Additionally Resourced Centres) and MMT) were nominated in the Team of the Year category, for their outstanding support for children and young people aged 0-19, with vision impairment across the district. Focussing on work done between January 2016 and June 2017, the team were shortlisted for achieving the VI Quality Mark, and then developing that work further in 3 specific areas;

1. Collaborative work with Special schools; partnership work between the VI team, Consultant Ophthalmologist and staff in Bradford Special Schools.

2. The provision of opportunities for pupils in mainstream schools to spend time with VI peers.

3. The specialism of the staff

There were only three places available for the award ceremony, so following nominations from colleagues, Joanne Hey, Yvonne Smith and Sue Adams went to London on 12 December, and came back with the award as Team of the Year.  Colleagues in MMT watched the event on a live link, and were absolutely delighted to see the team receive the award.

Anne Lomas, Head of the Sensory Service said "This is an outstanding achievement for the staff, and for Bradford, and I would like to thank everyone who has contributed towards this brilliant outcome."

For more information about the awards, please visit:

http://www.rnib.org.uk/professionals/vision-pioneer-awards

 Photo from left to right:  Joanne Hey, Yvonne Smith, Sue Adams?