Tribute

Tribute to Tania Drummond

AB4D Ambassador

On 23rd December 2024 Tania Drummond sadly died at the age of 45. We would like to take the opportunity to thank those who were instrumental in helping her to fulfil her ambition to help others.

Tania had been an active volunteer with SUMMIT for 14 years supporting adults with learning disabilities to lead an independent and meaningful life.  In 2018 Tania had the opportunity to be part of a wider coproduction team with Essex County Councils Learning Disability Team. Collaborate Essex was the result, and the team went on to win an award in 2019. Tania and her peers were invited to join the award ceremony and take centre stage as a part of the team. Tania’s personal motto was; “I have a can-do attitude”, but in order to achieve your ambitions you need help from other’s  to open the door to opportunity. Stephen Watt and his team didn’t just open the doors they kicked them down! This was the first time ever that people with learning disabilities stopped being service users, they became collaborators, colleagues and were seen and treated as equal partners.  

The impact of this gesture had a profound effect on Tania and others, they felt valued and as a consequence they gained the two drivers for success; confidence and ambition.  Tania went onto qualify as an advocate gaining paid employment and led a range of initiatives and projects that empowered others to gain skills and increase their independence. As an AB4D Ambassador Tania championed the rights of others to live safely in their community and she became a Hate Crime Ambassador, an Appointment Buddy and a Health Champion.

Tania’s colleagues at SUMMIT and across the AB4D network would like to thank Stephen Watt and his team for turning the tide. They didn’t just kick the doors down; they blew the bloody doors off!

Whilst we have no control over past events, we can control how we respond, and we will continue to build on Tania’s legacy. Let’s roll up our sleeves and continue her good work.