Newquay woman nominated for national diversity award

A woman from Newquay has been nominated for a national award recognising her work supporting disabled and neurodivergent people.

Kerry Pace, who founded Diverse Learners in 2012, has been shortlisted for a National Diversity Award in the Positive Role Model category in the Gender section.

She was nominated by one of her clients for her work supporting neurodivergent and disabled students, nurses, healthcare professionals and managers through coaching, mentoring, training and consultancy.

She operates Diverse Learners remotely and said her own experiences help shape the organisation's approach.

Kerry says she has ADHD, dyspraxia, complex post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD) and long-term health conditions and uses her professional expertise and lived experience to shape the person-centred approach at Diverse Learners.

She is also a parent and carer to two neurodivergent adult children with complex health conditions, giving her "a deep understanding of the barriers disabled and neurodivergent people can face in education, employment and everyday life".

Through Diverse Learners, Kerry has delivered awareness training for more than 40 NHS trusts and has worked with universities, professional healthcare bodies and employers to improve accessibility and inclusion.

She has also contributed to research and publications focused on inclusive practice in nursing and healthcare education, as well as delivering training, mentoring and consultancy work across the UK and internationally.

The National Diversity Awards finals will take place at Liverpool in September.

PRESS PLAY to listen again to our conversation with Kerry Pace...