Big Society Award Winners 2011
Hard working volunteers and local groups who put others first
were recognised at the town's first ever Big Society Awards.
More than 80 people attended the awards to recognise residents
and groups who make a difference to community life in Harlow.
The awards, held at the Health Suite Conference Room in Harlow
Leisurezone, were jointly run by Harlow Council and Rainbow
Services. All award winners were nominated by others.
Councillor Joel Charles, Portfolio Holder for Community &
Citizenship, said:
"There are some amazing people in our community doing remarkable
jobs and they make Harlow a better place. The first ever Big
Society Awards recognised those very people and we should be proud
of them. The award winners are positive role models and it was
inspiring to hear stories of how they give up their time to make a
difference to people around them. We hope the Big Society Awards
encourages more residents to get involved in their community and
our town's thriving voluntary sector."
Jackie Sully, Executive Director Rainbow Services, said: "It's
really great to see so many people being recognised for the
excellent and unselfish work they do within our community. I hope
that this is the start of an event we can run every year so that
groups and individuals get the chance to nominate a special someone
who makes such a big difference to the lives of others."
The winners were:
Volunteer of the Year
Derek White - Volunteer at Street2Homes
Jo Busson - Various voluntary roles including
local judo club, Harlow Rock School, Livewire and Harlow Chocolate
Run Charity
Young Volunteer of the Year
Nishall Garala - Harlow Youth Council
Best Residents' Association
Halyday House - Awarded for the group's
outstanding contribution to improving the communal areas for the
benefit of all residents
Great Parndon -
Awarded for the group's contribution to greater road safety in
the area by undertaking Community Speed Watch activities and
pursuing successful applications for traffic calming measures on
Three Horseshoes Road, Kingsmoor Road and Brookside
Best Neighbour
Ken Dixon - Member of the Great Parndon
Residents' Association; founder member and Chairman of the Great
Parndon Police Neighbourhood Action Panel; member of the Harlow
Health Care Forum; sits on the 'Reader's Panel' for NHS Annual
Review and literature and is also the co-ordinator for the local
Neighbourhood Watch Scheme
Best School Community Project
Passmores Academy - for the school's 2011 Big
Society Community Day when staff and pupils took part in a number
of small clean up projects
Special Big Society Award
Elbow Grease - New not-for-profit organisation
where volunteers, some of whom have a disability themselves,
deliver valuable services such as housework, shopping and dog
walking
Certificates of commendation were awarded
to:
Barry Beaton for his work with the Great
Parndon Residents' Association
The Citizens' Advice Bureau Volunteer Group for
their work over many years supporting and advising Harlow
residents
Celia Candy for her input into the Council's
Service Improvement Teams on behalf of residents across the
town
Mike Carr for his work with the Harlow Common
Residents' Forum
Harlow Common Residents' Forum for their work
for and on behalf of residents in the Harlow Common area
Pauline Love for her voluntary contribution to
the Harlow and Epping Breathe Easy group and for her fundraising
work on behalf of the British Lung Foundation
Bob McKenzie for his input into the Council's
Service Improvement Teams on behalf of residents across the
town
Potter Street Primary School for staff and
pupil's contribution to improving road safety in the area
Jane Steer for her input into the Council's
Service Improvement Teams on behalf of residents across the
town
