Unit Manager, Osmondthorpe Resource Centre, Leeds City Council

Stuart Simmons is the manager of Osmondthorpe Resource Centre in Leeds which supports disabled people, predominantly those recovering from serious head injury. During the last 15 years Stuart has supported over 400 people to reintegrate into the community through finding employment, re-training, volunteering and educational courses. Stuart's work has been "life-transforming" and he "goes the extra mile" for service users, carers and colleagues. He continually promotes and develops the Centre, its staff and users. His passion, dedication and determination inspire people to realise their potential. Stuart showed commitment to caring for others long before managing the Centre through volunteering at the YMCA and working on a community service project in Ghana. In 1976 Stuart moved to Leeds, working voluntarily in a children's home before joining Leeds City Council in 1979, later to specialise in learning disabilities. In his free time, Stuart mentors student social workers and postgraduates with disabilities and is a volunteer Emergency Rest Centre manager.