29th August 2023
Sanctuary
The Cherwell ‘Love Where you Live’ Volunteer Awards, organised by Sanctuary and Cherwell District Council, asked the local community to nominate individuals and groups that have gone the extra mile to help others over the last 12 months.
The awards ceremony took place on Thursday 24 August at Bodicote House in Banbury, where nominees and members of the community enjoyed a celebratory afternoon tea before the deserving winners were announced.
Volunteer of the Year was Jim Smith, who has dedicated huge amounts of time and effort to numerous community groups and causes. He is also Chair of the Banbury Community Action Group and a keen supporter of a wide range of other projects and causes, including the Canal and River Trust, and leading local wellbeing walks.
The Community Group of the Year was Forget Me Not Bicester whose members have worked tirelessly to make a difference to the lives of older people living with dementia and their families. They make a big difference to people’s lives with their professional and caring approach.
The Community Venue of the Year was The Hill Sports and Community Facility, which has contributed to its community by helping to feed local families and people in need all year round, through the cost of living crisis and a particularly difficult winter period. The door at The Hill is always open for help and advice, never turning away anyone who comes for help.
With the quality of nominations this year, it was hard to just pick one Young Volunteer of the Year. Instead, Alex Coleman and Suleyman Agha were named joint winners. Alex has been involved in The Hill’s men’s breakfast club since it began in November 2021 and over time his confidence and skills working with the community and in the kitchen have grown significantly. He has also learnt how to engage with diverse groups, particularly the club’s older attendees.
Suleyman has volunteered at Cherwell Larder for over three years, consistently attending every week without fail and always working hard as he serves diners, while occasionally singing for them too. His presence at Cherwell Larder has a huge positive impact on everyone who attends.
Similarly, the Good Neighbour Award had three winners this year; Peter Wilcock, Marie Barns and Pete Foster. All three were recognised for the assistance they provide to their elderly neighbours – helping out with gardening, taking out bins, providing companionship and driving them to hospital appointments or on shopping trips.
The winners of the Lifetime Award were Malcolm and Janet Green, who have been running Banbury Cross Twirlers for free for over 40 years, opening the sport of twirling up to the entire community. The club has won many national titles and produced a number of individual national champions, some of whom have also represented England. Malcolm has also looked after Ruscote Community Centre for many years, running the youth club and other events.
Charlie Heritage, our neighbourhood partnerships manager, said: “This is our fifth year holding these awards and each time I find it more inspirational. Our volunteers work unbelievably hard every year to make a difference in our community. It’s a pleasure to shine the spotlight on these groups and individuals.”
Councillor Phil Chapman, portfolio holder for healthy and safe communities at Cherwell District Council, said: "We work closely with partners, volunteer groups and individuals right across the district and our volunteers are crucial to supporting our community in many different ways.
“This event is an opportunity to show our appreciation by bringing volunteers together and recognising the incredible work they do to make Cherwell a stronger and a better place to live.”
The hand-made trophies handed out to winners this year were once again made by Restore, an Oxfordshire mental health charity that specialises in supporting people to take control of their recovery, develop skills, and lead meaningful lives.
