Brighton SEND tutor Charlotte Austwick has been named Judges Special Recognition Trailblazer at the 2026 Dyslexia Awards, for her advocacy work at universities.
A Brighton tutor has won a national award for her work with dyslexia. Charlotte Austwick, who tutors children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and is also an explorer and PhD researcher, was named the Judges Special Recognition Trailblazer 2026 at the Dyslexia Awards.
The ceremony was held at the Mercure Hotel in Telford on 17 October. The award is sponsored by SEAH, a mental health service in Shropshire.
What the judges said
The category is for someone the judges consider to be “blazing a trail through advocacy, education and leadership, inspiring others to believe in what is possible”.
Charlotte was recognised for her advocacy work promoting neurodiversity at universities and for her tutoring. The judges said they “particularly admired her patient, understanding approach and her role as a powerful voice for the dyslexia community”.
“Not mine alone”
Charlotte said she was “overwhelmed” by the recognition.
“This recognition is not mine alone and represents a community of people who have supported my journey thus far,” she said. “To all of them and to the Dyslexia Awards, I would like to say thank you.”
She says she is excited for the chapters ahead and will keep working to change the way people talk about dyslexia and neurodivergence.
It is her second national shortlisting this year: she was also a top 10 finalist in the SEND category at the National Tutoring Awards.
About the awards
The Dyslexia Awards were founded ten years ago and celebrate the achievements of people living with dyslexia. This year’s winners ranged from child ventriloquists to people working in science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine.
Charlotte’s tutoring work is on Instagram as @neurodiversitysussex, and more about her is on her website.
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