Volunteer Week awards recognition for Focus Surrey volunteer

Congratulations to Focus Surrey volunteer and Trustee Louise Simon who was a joint winner of Merton Partnership Civic Pride Councillor Maxi Martin Young Volunteer of the Year Award for 2025.

Louise attended a ceremony to recognise #NationalVolunteerWeek2025 in Merton on June 5th which celebrated her and many other's voluntary contributions across the borough.

Louse we are proud of you!

Louise has volunteered at Focus Surrey Saturday club for children since 2017, when she was aged 17 and in high school. Louise has gone above and beyond to support the autistic children who access the Saturday club in Sutton and Merton, working with them 1 to 1 as a play assistant but also supporting behind the scenes supporting with fundraising, volunteer recruitment, communications and administration.

Louise has represented the charity at university and local volunteer recruitment events and was appointed as a Trustee in April 2023. As well as volunteering for 7 hours each Saturday the club runs, Louise volunteers at least 4 hours a week with operations and administration behind the scenes.

Louise’s dedication to children with autism is also reflected in her full-time role as a Behaviour Support Lead for a local events provider for adults and young people with disabilities.  Louise was inspired to pursue her current career working with children and adults with disabilities after volunteering at Focus Surrey.

After starting volunteering with Focus Surrey at high school Louise was still volunteering with Focus Surrey while studying speech and language therapy at University. This involved volunteering remotely doing administration and then driving down to London on the weekends to volunteer with the children when needed.

Louise is a calm and insightful young woman, who puts her own needs aside to support children who are struggling with communication, sensory issues, behaviours of concern and extreme anxiety. Always remaining calm in every situation Louise is always thinking outside the box to improve their well-being.

Louise is an advocate for neurodiversity and inclusivity. A selfless and modest young woman, Louise should be applauded for her extraordinary voluntary input at such a young age. Congratulations Louise!