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   Community campaigner supports City West stars
Community reform campaigner Baroness Helen Newlove was on hand to celebrate inspirational work and outstanding efforts above and beyond the call of duty at City West Housing Trust’s customer Make a Difference (MAD) Awards.
Lady Newlove presented 10 awards to City West customers and those who have made a positive impact in the community by improving people’s lives, opportunities and neighbourhoods. The Community Contributor award was won by Eileen and Seamus McCallion who run the Tiger Moth Public House in recognition of their efforts in the aftermath of the Irlam gas explosion. They provided food, drink and a meeting place for those affected and played a crucial role in keeping spirits in the community high, hosting a joint birthday party for two of the youngest people to be affected and various fundraising events. Brookhouse Community Association won the Greatest Group award . The group has provided services for customers of all ages and backgrounds: bingo for elderly people, youth activities, parties to mark the Royal wedding and the Brookhouse Festival that saw 200 people attend last year. It operates as an advisory group bringing together agencies such as the NHS, police and Salford City Council organising action planning to improve the community. Chair of Kenyon Residents Association and local area panel member, Cath Hamilton won the Leading Light award for her tireless work improving other people’s lives. She successfully secured funding for a planting project, is currently working on an outreach and engagement scheme with other agencies, and is looking to install computers at her community drop-in support shop so IT classes can be run to help engage more young people. Little Hulton residents Granville and Joan Heyes won the Number One Neighbour award for their strong community spirit. The couple have been foster parents as well as raising their own children and are always helping people of all ages, whether it be youngsters, fellow tenants or contractors working in the area. Granville is an active member of the Men’s Health Group that meets at Clegg’s Lane Methodist Church, baking cakes and helping a young vulnerable member by integrating him into his family life. Joan is a keen knitter, making dolls and objects to donate to local residents or charity and is well-known in the area for cooking meals, providing sweet treats and cups of tea for people. The Young Rising Star title was won by Molly Moores for her generous volunteering work and shining example to other young people. Molly has been a very active participant in the Community Challenge Partnership and also gave her time freely volunteering at an Easter tea dance, a Spots and Stripes event, a Salford Reds event and helped organise local celebrations during the Royal Wedding. Molly is also part of the local dance troupe The Starlets, sits on the student council at Dukesgate Primary School and is seen as a role model for her peers. Steve Sheridan won the Fairway Ambassador award after impressing judges with his work championing equality and diversity throughout City West’s business and among its customers. Steve’s ability to listen to others and consider alternative views really stands out, as does the high level of support he provides to staff and customers, while always being very courteous. Stuart Campbell’s hard work as a member of the Clegg’s Lane Allotment Group and Clegg’s Lane Men’s Health Group saw him win the Green Achiever title. Stuart is a pivotal member of both groups, helping to integrate vulnerable men into society and teaching them skills and offering support. His environmental work has seen an allotment transformed from an unused plot of land into one that is now sustainable, and aims to sell the produce grown and offers a social community café facility. Retired warden Angela Reilly shows no sign of slowing down and she scooped the Star for Seniors award in recognition for her ongoing work helping older members of the community. Angela’s loyalty and genuine kindness to other residents sees her arranging trips, making lunches, organising bingo sessions and even looking after workers in the Laurence Lowry Court area of Swinton. The judges also handed out an overall title called the Special Award to mark an outstanding contribution made in the community. It was won by Sharron Gigenti of Irlam who was nominated in the Number One Neighbour category for the fantastic support she gives to tenants, and in particular Marie Burns, who was hospitalised following the Irlam gas explosion. As well as helping Marie attend hospital appointments, Sharon provided her with devoted support at a traumatic time and played an instrumental role in helping Marie settle back into the community. Sharon is an inspirational figure, working hard to bring everyone together and promotes the services and help City West offers to improve as many people's lives as possible. The awards were judged by Salford City Council’s Lead Member for Housing, Cllr Peter Connor and Jon Warnock, the Head of Consultancy at England’s largest social housing tenant body, the Tenant Participation Advisory Service (TPAS). They were joined by City West Housing Trust’s Director of Communities and Neighbourhoods, David Cummins. Over 100 nominations were received for the awards which are now in their second year. Baroness Newlove said: "It was a great privilege to hear from and help recognise the fantastic efforts of so many inspirational West Salford residents. "Having decided to rollup their sleeves and get stuck into community activities from establishing thriving community allotments, supporting their elderly neighbours to the great kindness offered to those affected by the Irlam Gas explosion, they serve as an inspiration to us all to get involved in making our neighbourhoods safer and more enjoyable places to live. It's unsung heroes like these that hold the key to creating peaceful, happy, clean and wonderful neighbourhoods and I'm delighted the true community spirit which has served this nation so well over the years lives and thrives in Salford." Chief Executive at City West Housing Trust, Tim Doyle, said: “The standard of all the entries received was incredibly high and made the judges’ decisions very hard indeed. “Everyone who was nominated should feel very proud of the work they are doing and the difference they are making to improve communities for others. “Listening to the stories behind the awards is very humbling and shows just how lucky we are at City West to have such fantastic customers who show incredible commitment. “It is only right that we recognise and celebrate these people and it was especially pleasing to share the moment with Baroness Helen Newlove who was very impressed with all those who were nominated.” Head of Consultancy at TPAS, Jon Warnock, said: “It is very reassuring to see social housing tenants carrying out such fantastic work and just as importantly, City West recognising these efforts. “Tenants are the lifeblood of social housing so by shining a light on best practice and sharing this information, even more people can benefit and this is great to see. “The standard of the nominations for the MAD Awards was very high and reflects the quality of work City West is carrying out as an organisation. Well done to all the winners and those nominated.” Source: City West. Due to problems with spam only SalfordOnline members can now leave comments. Becoming a member of SalfordOnline only takes a minute, just hit the red Join Us button at the top right hand side of the page to create your Personal account. Got a news story? Need help with publicity for an event in Salford? Send it to newsdesk@salfordonline.com or call the SalfordOnline newsdesk on 0161 789 5377. |
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