East Renfrewshire Additional Support Needs Parents Action Group
1879. Oonagh McKinnon
Oonagh McKinnon, from East Renfrewshire, created ERA (East Renfrewshire Additional Support Needs Parents Action Group) which supports young people with additional needs and their families across the local area.
Previously, there were no other community-based groups in the area that offered support to young people with additional needs and their carers, leading Oonagh to build her own initiative from scratch. Through ERA, Oonagh stages activities for juniors and teens like gardening, walks, and sporting events, as well as holding parent support meetings and offering training opportunities, and continued to provide these services throughout the pandemic, serving as a lifeline for many families. Oonagh is also the chair of ‘Linking Communities’, a volunteer-led group which strives to make East Renfrewshire’s more deprived areas better places to live, work and visit.
In a personal letter to Oonagh, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said:
“Every day I write to someone to thank them for their service to others. Today I would like to thank you for creating ‘East Renfrewshire Additional Support Needs Parents Action Group’.
“From gardening and sports, to walks and meetings for parents, your activities do so much to support young people with additional needs and their families. You have created a true community that keeps families connected.”
Oonagh said:
“What a delight to learn of “Points of Light” and to discover I had been nominated. It is always great to hear of any initiative where volunteers are recognised. I have the pleasure of working with many volunteers who work selflessly to help others in the community. Our families and young people who come to ERA groups are often marginalised due to additional support needs and we love seeing them enjoying time together in a safe space.”