Special painting for Susan
A Staffordshire councillor responsible for social services care has been presented with a painting by an artist who has Down's Syndrome. A Staffordshire councillor responsible for social services care has been presented with a painting by an artist who has Down's Syndrome. Councillor Susan Woodward, who represents Hednesford and Rawnsley at Staffordshire County Council attended a national Social Care Conference in Bournemouth as part of her role as cabinet member for healthier communities. She was chosen out of a prize draw to receive the painting by watercolour artist, Peter Jones, who travelled to Staffordshire from his hometown of Hartlepool to present Councillor Woodward with the prize. Mr Jones, who has Down's Syndrome, is a talented artist and has held several art exhibitions for the public. In 2006 he successfully bid for funding from Dimensions for a supported employment project, receiving £1,000 to buy artist's materials so that he could develop his business. Dimensions works with young people and adults with learning difficulties by supporting them to live independently in their own home, in group homes and in their local community. Read the full story in the Express & Star.
A Staffordshire councillor responsible for social services care has been presented with a painting by an artist who has Down's Syndrome.
Councillor Susan Woodward, who represents Hednesford and Rawnsley at Staffordshire County Council attended a national Social Care Conference in Bournemouth as part of her role as cabinet member for healthier communities.
She was chosen out of a prize draw to receive the painting by watercolour artist, Peter Jones, who travelled to Staffordshire from his hometown of Hartlepool to present Councillor Woodward with the prize.
Mr Jones, who has Down's Syndrome, is a talented artist and has held several art exhibitions for the public. In 2006 he successfully bid for funding from Dimensions for a supported employment project, receiving £1,000 to buy artist's materials so that he could develop his business.
Dimensions works with young people and adults with learning difficulties by supporting them to live independently in their own home, in group homes and in their local community.
Councillor Woodward said: "I am so pleased that Peter made the journey to present the prize to me. He is a talented man and his accomplishments are an example to others to show what can be achieved. Visiting the conference proved to be inspiring in more ways than one for me – not only did I win the painting and meet Peter, but I also had the opportunity to listen to a moving speech from Dame Tanni Grey Thompson.
Spina bifida meant that Dame Tanni has been in a wheelchair since the age of seven, but she has become one of the world's most admired and respected sportswomen and is regarded as Britain's greatest ever Paralympian having won 11 gold medals.
"She talked with great passion and enthusiasm about how her family and others she came into contact during her formative years had given her the choices that allowed her to shape her own life," Councillor Woodward said. "She said that she hadn't been 'sucked' into a system that focused on her disability but had been given the opportunity to make the most of her abilities."
