Una is one of Northern Ireland’s ‘top 40 under 40s’

Thursday 07 March 2013

Prestigious award for Mencap in Northern Ireland’s development manager

Mencap in Northern Ireland development manager, Una Brown, was one of 40 people under the age of 40 to be nominated as one of Northern Ireland’s up-and-coming leaders at the annual ‘Top 40 Under 40’ awards.

Una and her fellow nominees came from across Northern Ireland and work in various fields – from the community and voluntary sectors, entertainment, culture and the arts, to business, TV and film, education, medicine and politics. They ranged in age, from the youngest at 25, to the oldest who was 39.

And the winner is…

For Una, it was enough just to be nominated alongside such a diverse range of people, which included two of the overall winners: Alderman Gavin Robinson, one of Belfast’s youngest ever Lord Mayors and the Belfast born ‘Silent Witness’ star, David Caves.

“I was delighted and a bit shocked at being nominated, especially when I found out who my fellow nominees were,” said Una.

“It was fun, and I wasn’t disappointed not to win, but I think the nomination was more about recognising the work that Mencap does for people with a learning disability, like campaigning to improve services and challenging prejudices, than anything that I have done, or will do.”

Pride

Congratulating Una on her nomination, Mencap in Northern Ireland director, Maureen Piggot, said: “Mencap wouldn’t be the organisation it is if it wasn’t for our dedicated team and the collective contribution that everyone makes to the lives of people with a learning disability. In being nominated for such an award, Una has done us all proud.”