A VOLUNTEER from west Oxfordshire has celebrated a decade of raising awareness of people living with learning disabilities.

Neal Kinsella, 36, from Finstock, near Witney, joined disabled charity My Life My Choice, in Park End Street, Oxford, in 1999.

Since then the 36 year-old has worked tirelessly as a member of the charity’s Power Up training team to raise the profile of disability awareness.

The team visits organisations and businesses to give presentations and train staff and volunteers on how to treat people with disabilities, both physical and mental.

Mr Kinsella celebrated his tenth year as a volunteer, with a party at the Sting Ray Club, a monthly DJ night run by My Life My Choice and held at Bar Risa, in Hythe Bridge Street.

Mariah Lookman, a team administrator at the charity, said Mr Kinsella’s creative approach to the Power Up training sessions made him an extremely valuable member of the team.

She added: “Neal’s work has given him the opportunity to make friends, be creative and work to empower others who have learning difficulties.

“He is the most experienced Power Up worker and has the most artistic and creative approach to training.

“He sometimes gives presentations ‘in character’, and has, in the past, appeared as Jamie Oliver and Gordon Ramsey.

“But Dr Who is his favourite character to perform.”

Mr Kinsella has featured in a book about people with disabilities.

“He is also planning to take part in a series of lectures throughout Oxfordshire to highlight the importance of regular GP check-ups for people with learning disabilities.

Ms Lookman added: “Neal is an expert by experience.

“On a recent visit to the doctors he discovered he was diabetic, and five years ago he ended up in hospital with pneumonia.

“He feels strongly that it is important for people with learning or physical disabilities, who are often quite wary of going to the doctors, to get regular check ups”

Mr Kinsella said: “I hope I can carry this sort of training work into the future and continue to raise the profile for people with learning disabilities in this way.”

awilliams@oxfordmail.co.uk