Alex Shaw, Arts Administration Manager at the Martin Harris Centre, recently won a Making a Difference Award in the Outstanding professional services for social responsibility category for Martin Harris Centre: Breaking Barriers. The Making a Difference Awards recognise those driving meaningful social and environmental impact across the University. Beyond celebration, they play an important role in sharing best practice and encouraging others to learn from innovative approaches. As part of this, we are taking a closer look at this year’s winners, exploring their projects, the people behind them and what motivates their work.

The Martin Harris Centre: Breaking Barriers initiative developed from an initial dementia friendly project into a wide-ranging programme to improve accessibility, inclusion and community engagement. The Martin Harris Centre now delivers relaxed performances with British Sign Language interpretation, intergenerational music activities, school partnerships, and regular outreach in SEND and community settings.

When asked what winning a Making a Difference Award meant to her, Alex said, it has already made a real difference, helping to raise the profile of the work, build new connections and create opportunities to further develop inclusive and accessible activity for staff and students.