Mansfield-based charity A Place To Call Our Own (APTCOO) was among the winners at the Midlands National Apprentices Awards in Leicester.

It was awarded the Santander Award for Newcomer Small and Medium Employer Of The Year.

Carol Burkitt, chief executive, added: “To receive the award on behalf of the staff and apprentices is testament to the unstinting efforts of a small and dedicated team who dared to dream.

“The success of our unique approach to modern apprenticeships is central to our core value and belief — the innovation of education.”

The charity is a resource centre of information, advice and access to a personalised range of specialist health, care and education support services for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities, and their family.

The awards recognise excellence in businesses that grow their own talent with apprentices, and apprentices who have made a significant contribution to their workplaces.

The judges recognised APTCOO’s flexible and personalised approach to delivering apprenticeship’s for those with a special education need and/or disability.

APTCOO chairman David Liggins said: “The organisation has worked tirelessly over the last 18 months to develop and deliver a modern apprenticeship programme aimed at young people with an additional need or disability.”

Pictured, from left, are Sandra Currey, training and development lead; David Liggins and Carol Burkitt.