Pride of Guernsey: Graham Elwin

GRAHAM ELWIN has been nominated for the Teacher of the Year Award for his work helping the special needs community in Guernsey. Nominator Kathleen Moore said Mr Elwin has given his time and skills unstintingly over the past 20 years.

GRAHAM ELWIN has been nominated for the Teacher of the Year Award for his work helping the special needs community in Guernsey.

Nominator Kathleen Moore said Mr Elwin has given his time and skills unstintingly over the past 20 years.

He served as committee member and treasurer of the Guernsey Specials Gym Club, director of the You Can Do It Foundation and set up the Brock Road Specials Youth Club – now called The Monday Club – with the help of the Youth Service.

‘The Specials Youth Club is an amazing club, which is still running, for youngsters with physical and special needs where they do various activities like team games, arts, board and computer games to build confidence, self-esteem and social skills in people aged nine to 21,’ the nominator said.

‘Graham has also been a committee member and treasurer of Mencap Guernsey, which is a charity with the objective to secure the needs of Guernsey’s learning disabled, increase public awareness of family problems and create acceptance in the community.’

From 2008 to May this year, Mr Erwin was a director of Grow Ltd, Guernsey’s Rural Occupational Workshop, which allows learning disabled and physically disabled people access to horticultural training, allowing them to feel comfortable with their place in the community.

And since 2010 he has been director and treasurer of the Guernsey Marlins Swimming Club, a charity which gives people with learning disabilities training which allows them to enter competitions on and off the island.

‘Graham qualified as a level two swim teacher in order to achieve this goal,’ the nominator said.

‘Under his tuition, the Marlins have won medals and continually grow closer in their sense of friendship and self-esteem.’