Hello folks!

Welcome to the website, and welcome to the first of a series of Disability Awareness blogs.

This blog section is aimed primarily at parents and carers of people with disabilities, as well as those who work with or support them. Over the coming weeks I shall be posting articles on specific subjects relevant to disability issues. Examples of upcoming subjects will include friendship, communication, behaviour and mental health. They will discuss a brief overview of how each of these issues relates to people with disabilities, as well as those who care for them. My hope is that they will encourage thought, reflection and discussion- and give you some ideas and tips that might help you along the way.

But I thought I’d use the first blog to tell you a little bit about myself, and why I have decided to set up Disability Awareness.

Hello! My name is Andy Hodkin.
I moved to the Isle of Man in May last year, to take up the post of Team Manager for Children with Disabilities. Prior to this I lived and worked in Nottingham, spending 25 years working in residential and short breaks settings, for both children and adults with disabilities. Throughout this time I delivered training on disability-related issues. I was proud to be part of a short breaks management team that achieved continued Ofsted Outstanding ratings. I also played a vital role in shaping a disability service in Nottingham that was fully committed to supporting people to be all that they could be. Following this I managed a residential mental health service.
I was then involved in joint working with the local authority and the NHS on developing services for young people with autism and mental health needs.

During my time here as Team Manager I saw a need for more training and learning opportunities for parents and carers, and those who work with people with disabilities. So I decided to move away from management and into training and consultancy. My intention is to provide bespoke training and consultancy to those involved or working in the disabled community, but also to the Isle of Man community as a whole.

My hope is that Disability Awareness contributes towards improving the quality of life for those in the disabled community here on the Isle of Man.

My intention is to work in partnership with colleagues in health, education, social care, and third sector services. But particularly so with parents and carers, and for people with disabilities themselves.

I have had the great opportunity to meet and connect with many families on the Isle, and have some understanding of what their needs are. I have also enjoyed forming connections with many of the services and providers here, and am committed to strengthening these bonds over the coming months.

Most importantly, I have had the great privilege of meeting and working with many people with disabilities since I moved here, and this has always been the best part of the work I do. For my whole career, I have worked directly with this community and I enjoy it as much now as I have ever done! My life has been shaped by learning from people with disabilities, and from the amazing experiences I have shared with them. I have always been committed to helping them lead the way in their own development and achievement, and to celebrate the many important contributions they make. My hope is to continue the movement towards the disabled community being a vital, thriving and central part of our community.

Disability inclusion is critical to our continued progress as a whole. I strongly believe that a healthy society is one that not only supports those who may need supporting, but actively and meaningfully celebrates them.

There is a sense of community here on the Isle of Man that I have not experienced anywhere else. And there is a well-established strength of feeling towards a supportive and inclusive society. I hope that Disability Awareness contributes towards those strengths, and plays some part in acknowledging, celebrating and supporting our disabled community.

I really hope to work with you in the future!

Take care
Andy