Petty Pool shortlisted for national British Chambers of Commerce award

We’re incredibly proud to share that Petty Pool has been shortlisted for the Connecting Places Award at the British Chambers of Commerce Chamber Business Awards 2026.

Nominated by the West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce, we’ve been named as a national finalist in the Connecting Places category, which celebrates organisations bringing together businesses, communities, education and public or voluntary-sector partners to create opportunity, improve accessibility and support sustainable economic growth.

For us, that makes this recognition particularly special.

Bringing people and organisations together to create opportunities has been at the heart of Petty Pool for 45 years. From our beginnings in 1981, supporting just six young people with learning difficulties, we now support thousands of young people and adults with SEND and neurodivergence across Cheshire and the wider region.

Today, our work spans specialist education, employability, outdoor learning, alternative education, supported employment, autism support and community services.

None of that happens in isolation. We work alongside employers, local authorities, education providers and community organisations to help people develop skills and independence, gain real workplace experience, connect with their communities and move towards employment and their wider aspirations.

Sally Garratt, CEO of Petty Pool, said: “We’re incredibly proud to see Petty Pool recognised on a national stage, particularly for an award that feels so closely connected to how we work.

“Creating opportunities and raising aspirations has always been at the heart of Petty Pool, but we know we can achieve so much more when we work together. Whether it’s an employer creating a more inclusive workplace, a community partner creating a new opportunity or organisations coming together to find a better way forward, partnership is what turns possibility into something real.

“This recognition belongs to our learners and participants, our staff and all the partners and supporters who work alongside us every day. To be representing Cheshire and our region on a national stage is something we’re hugely proud of.”

Being shortlisted nationally is a fantastic recognition of how far Petty Pool has come over the past 45 years – and of the people, partnerships and communities that continue to make our work possible.

The winner of the Connecting Places Award will be announced at the Chamber Awards Gala Dinner in London on Wednesday 14 October 2026.

We’re keeping everything crossed – and want to say a huge thank you to everyone who is part of Petty Pool and continues to help make possible happen.