Services

Stars in your eyes

10th April 2014
Stars in your eyes

It really was like 'Stars in Your Eyes' at the annual Walsall Housing Group awards as Manor Farm Community Association proudly took pride of place through their efforts on behalf of local older people in Walsall.

At the prestigious 'Recognition of our Customers and Communities' awards in March,  Sue Evans and Georgina Ball accepted the 'Outstanding Older Peoples Project' trophy star on behalf of the 1,041 older people helped and supported through their Silver Scheme service for people aged 50 and over.

Senior Officer Sue Evans said, ''This is a wonderful award and is something which we will always cherish and be very proud of.  It highlights the valuable work our staff and volunteers have undertaken and who are a real credit to the town of Walsall.''

The Silver Scheme continues to flourish and demand for their handy help home repair and gardening service, transport to essential medical appointments and bespoke 'one-to-one' befriending scheme continues to grow.  Accepting the award, Georgina Ball said, ''Working in partnership with Walsall Housing Group is a dream come true for all of us.  We now reach many more older people in need because of our close collaboration.  Many thanks Whg!''

Some of Walsall’s most outstanding residents and communities have been recognised in the awards ceremony held at the Savoy Lounge to a backdrop of live entertainment.  Over 120 people attended the Walsall Housing Group’s (whg) 'Recognising Our Customers and Communities' event and more than 50 awards were presented to individuals at the ceremony sponsored by Walsall College and whg contractors FHM and Wates.

Recipients included people who regularly give up their spare time to help to bring their community together in a range of ways such as helping to create community gardens, working with young people to learn new skills and of course, supporting older people.
 
Guests were treated to a hot buffet and entertained by performances from Jane Lane School Choir, jazz/swing group 'The Gershwin Gang' and a disco to round off the evening.  Gary Fulford, whg Group Chief Executive, said: “This year’s whg ROCCs awards ceremony was a fantastic night and we are proud to have been able to celebrate the good work taking place by individuals and community organisations across our neighbourhoods.
 
''The event is an excellent way for us to show our gratitude to those people in the community who give up their spare time to improve the lives of those around them and help to make Walsall a borough we can all be proud of.”
 
Sue Evans is pictured with 72 year old Eddie Atkiss who not only benefits from the Manor Farm Silver Scheme but is also a volunteer driver - ensuring that many others of his age group get to their GP on time.  It is through local people such as Eddie Atkiss that the Silver Scheme is such a successful service and one that Walsall can be justly proud of. 
 
Thanks Eddie and ... Thanks Walsall Housing Group!
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