Hugh Maynard has had strong community links with Lincolnshire for a number of years. He has worked with both children and young people and with professionals in many different ways. For instance he has been a guest speaker at a number of conferences organised by Lincolnshire Children’s Services, for professionals across a range or organisations, where he has shared his experiences of living in residential and foster care. He gives a moving and inspirational account of his early childhood experiences of being raised in care, he talks about the people who inspired him to work hard and those who supported him to achieve his ambitions. It’s a story of courage and commitment, of overcoming difficulties and rising above adversity.

Hugh has also mentored young people in the performing arts and given them the confidence to perform at various events and conferences. One young person said ‘I’m so proud of myself, my social worker was in the audience and she saw me on stage singing – it was fantastic’… Jonathon is a talented singer who received a grant from Lincolnshire County Council as part of their Short Breaks Programme for children and young people who are disabled, including those with autistic spectrum condition. Jonathon was awarded his grant for singing lessons and it was through this grant that Hugh became involved in mentoring Jonathon – with the result that Jonathon was proud to perform with Hugh at a Lincolnshire Children’s Services conference.

 

Hugh moved to Ruskington, Lincolnshire in order to recover from an accident which had hapenned whilst he was working in the Caribbean. During his convalescence Hugh forged many more links with a number of community services including services for children who are disabled and for children who are sensory impaired. Hugh facilitated workshops for Action for Children; an organisation based in Lincoln who offer services for disabled children, and with St Francis School, a specialist provision for disabled children. Hugh also performed at events and conferences for the Lincolnshire Sensory Impaired Service with whom he has developed a strong and positive relationship.The Lincolnshire branch of Action for Children are based at: Queen’s Park Community Hub, South Park, Lincoln, LN5 8EW tel: 01522 546516Action for children offer a range of services and resources for children and young people who are disabled. For more information check out their web site at my.actionforchildren.org.uk/disability-lincolnshire