We could be Heroes…

Award Winners Blackpool Coastal Housing

Community ‘Heroes’ celebrated at 2018 Awards Ceremony
Local people and community groups shone brightly at Blackpool Coastal Housing’s (BCH) 11^th annual awards ceremony on 12th April.

The awards recognise the achievements and contributions that BCH’s community members and customers have made throughout the past year. Over 170 community volunteers and invited guests, including the Deputy Mayor, Cllr Gary Coleman and Deputy Mayoress, Cllr Debbie Coleman, attended the ceremony held at Blackpool’s Hilton Hotel.

John Donnellon, Chief Executive of Blackpool Coastal Housing which manages nearly 5,000 properties on behalf of Blackpool Council, said: “The awards are a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the work our customers and residents do to help strengthen and develop both our local communities and the services we provide at BCH.”

The judging panel, made up of BCH staff and involved customers agreed THAT THE WINNERS ARE….

‘Working Together’ Award

The Working Together Award celebrated a couple who were nominated for their community spirit. Lynette and Robert Walker hold regular community activities and work with BCH to organise intergenerational computer courses with residents in South Shore and pupils at Highfield Leadership Academy. Dean O’Shea was also recognised for volunteering his time to assist various BCH departments to improve services for all.

Resident of the Year – Brenda Giles

‘Resident of the Year’ Award

Brenda Giles was the worthy winner of the Resident of the Year Award and is described as quite simply “one in a million”. She not only cares full time for her disabled husband but also ensures that Ibbison Court Community Centre is a hive of activity with social events. Brenda has a zest for life which has a positive effect on those she helps and her fellow volunteers. A highly commended certificate was also presented to Gary Cumber for his positive nature and for being a fantastic role model for young dads. His volunteering work at the local Grange Park Children’s Centre has also led to him securing employment.

‘Gone Green’ Award

Lowmoor Gardening Club won the Gone Green Award for the development and ongoing maintenance of a community garden, which includes a vegetable patch providing local produce free of charge to residents who cannot afford them. Angie Buss was also highly commended for helping to establish the Ibbison Community Garden and growing produce which is used in meals at the weekly lunch club she helps to run.

‘Making a Stand’ Award

Resolving issues for the benefit of his local community at Newby Place, Mereside helped Barry Wright secure the Making a Stand category.

‘Breaking the Barriers’ Award

Demonstrating real commitment to transforming his life and a willingness to change the Breaking the Barriers award was deservedly presented to Paul Heath. Lydia Sharman was highly commended for the positive steps she has taken to complete training which has helped her to secure full time employment.

‘Learner of the Year’ New Award

New for this year, this category was created to recognise someone who has put their heart and soul into the BCH Community Learning Programme and made outstanding progress. The programme was launched with Blackpool and the Fylde College in 2016 to provide functional skills courses in the heart of the local community. Learners highly commended included: Terry Dancy, Paula and Terry Griffiths, Jane Kennedy, Denise Dean, Louisa Yelland, Paul Naylor, Louise Byrnes, Paul Heath and Lydia Sharman. All received certificates for improving their knowledge, skills and confidence. The overall award was presented to Ann Jones for her fantastic progress over the past 18 months and achieving qualifications she never thought possible.

Tenants Project Fund Award

The Tenants Project Fund Award recognised projects which have received funding from BCH and delivered fantastic outcomes for customers. Boathouse Youth won the award for providing much needed activities for young people, helping them to develop their personal and social skills and take part in experiences they may not have had the opportunity to otherwise enjoy. Kincraig Children’s Centre and Lowmoor Gardening Club were also highly commended for their local community projects.

‘Helping Hand’ Award

Linda McEvilly won the Helping Hand award for working tirelessly for her local community, going the extra mile for anyone in need and for being a true unsung hero of the community. Les Argent was also highly commended for his commitment to his local community and neighbours.

‘Community Action Stations’ Award

The Community Action Stations Award was presented to Mereside and Friends in Action, also known as MAFIA, for their fantastic contribution to the Mereside area of Blackpool. This group was summed up as ‘the best at what they do’, from organising events to sourcing large amounts of funding to improve the environment and create opportunities. Lynette and Robert Walker were recognised for their work in the Highfield Community Group where they organise regular activities and trips which help to tackle social isolation and promote community cohesion.

‘Customer and Staff’ Choice Award

The ceremony concluded with a new award for this year called the Customer and Staff Choice Award. Recognition was given to the Memory Lane Café which received the highest amount of votes from both BCH staff and customers. The café, based at Ibbison Court, provides a dementia friendly lunch club with regular themed days and is enjoyed by not only local residents but also the wider community.

John Donnellon added: “It was great to see so many of our involved customers and community groups attending the event and I would like to personally congratulate all who were nominated, those that were highly commended and of course the winners of each award – Well Done!

“We would like to thank everyone who attended and helped make the evening a fantastic success, including our sponsors: Read & Errington, Technical & Electrical Services Ltd, Contract Floors Ltd, and Spot On Design and Print.”