Hinckley & Rugby Building Society has been named the winner of the SEND Empowerment Award 2026, in recognition of their outstanding and sustained commitment to supporting young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) through meaningful, inclusive opportunities.
The award celebrates employers and partners who go above and beyond to create accessible experiences, build confidence, and open pathways into the world of work for young people who may otherwise face significant barriers. Hinckley & Rugby Building Society stood out for their practical, hands-on approach and their willingness to learn from the young people themselves.
A key highlight of their partnership has been hosting participants in their workplace to plan, prepare, and cook lunch for around 60 staff members on site. This experience not only built confidence and teamwork skills but also gave young people a real sense of achievement in delivering a large-scale catering task in a professional environment.
Alongside this, the Building Society has supported a series of youth development sessions, including budgeting workshops and baking sessions, helping young people develop essential life skills in a fun, engaging and accessible way. Their commitment to skills development has also extended to sponsoring participants to complete a Level 2 Food Hygiene qualification, strengthening both employability and independence.
In addition, Hinckley & Rugby Building Society has played a vital role in improving workplace understanding of SEND by inviting young people to contribute to vulnerability training for staff. These sessions have helped upskill employees around SEND awareness, including a deeper understanding of autism and how to better support neurodivergent individuals in professional settings.
The organisation has also gone a step further by offering to facilitate a work experience opportunity for one of the young people involved, demonstrating a clear commitment to the empowerment of SEND young people.
Hinckley & Rugby Building Society have supported my project so much in the last 12 months it's hard to mention all of it! I think a lot of businesses can look at the work that they have done around their 'Vulnerability Champions' programme and utilise the opportunities to learn from the fantastic young people that we support at Leicestershire Cares.
Ross Cox, Altogether Now Project Manager
The other fantastic nominees for this award were:
Haymarket Shopping Centre, recognised for hosting SEND young people in a creative workshop and providing an opportunity to marshal a major public event. During the Christmas Light Switch On, young people shadowed the Haymarket team behind the scenes and even led the band through the centre to launch the evening, this was an unforgettable experience that showcased confidence, leadership and inclusion in action.
Motability, who delivered an inspiring World of Work Tour alongside a Christmas meal for students and staff from Enstruct Training. Participants were given a unique insight into the organisation’s work and left the experience feeling welcomed, valued and inspired, with many commenting on the quality of both the tour and the hospitality provided.
We are incredibly grateful to all of this year’s nominees for their continued dedication to creating opportunities for SEND young people. Their ongoing support is helping to break down barriers, build confidence, and open doors to future employment and independence.
A huge congratulations goes to Hinckley & Rugby Building Society for being this year’s SEND Empowerment Award winner and for setting a powerful example of inclusive practice in action.
Could you or your company be next year’s award winners? Contact info@leicestershireshirecares.co.uk