Blue Apple congratulates Jane Jessop, founder of Blue Apple, on her award of the Badge of the Order of Mercy for distinguished voluntary service that has been conferred on her by The League Of Mercy Foundation. We are immensely proud of Jane whose work has had such a valued impact on local lives in Hampshire and who continues to advocate for the talents, skills and needs of people with learning disabilities. The award was made in a ceremony at Mansion House, a Grade I listed building in the City of London that is the official residence of the Lord Mayor of London. Jane told us that the event provided a valuable opportunity “to speak to very interesting people, hear their stories and share why the vision of Blue Apple is so important to us all and how lives have been changed.”  Jane originally founded Blue Apple in July 2005 to help facilitate her son Tommy’s love of acting as the nearest theatre company for people with learning disabilities was then in London. She decided to set up an ambitious and inclusive theatre company for people with learning disabilities in Winchester, where every member was equally valued. Today Blue Apple brings highly acclaimed theatrical performances to the south of England and overseas.