On Thursday 25 January we celebrated our 2023 Community Awards; crowning the worthy winners of those who make a real positive difference to their community. Here are those who picked up a trophy on the night.
Community Group of the Year – Barnet Panthers
The Barnet Panthers football club brings together girls and young women from all backgrounds in a safe, friendly, supportive, and fun environment and gives them the platform to express themselves in a male dominated sport. The coaches, and especially their lead, Billy Grant, volunteer their time passionately to ensure equal opportunities are provided to all involved, both in football and in the other activities and days out provided by the club.
Billy who started the club two years ago, came along to the event with 21-year-old Zara, one of the club’s ten coaches, they beamed with delight as the Barnet Panthers were announced winners of the Community Group of the Year. Billy said, “We weren’t expecting to win tonight, so it’s a real honour. Our club is not only about football and girls being on the pitch, but we want to make girls grow within themselves. For us to be able to do that has been a real honour, so I’m really appreciative to be acknowledged.”
Zara added, “I want to say to young girls in Barnet, just join us, it will change your life and you’ll love it! Our age group categories are Under 13s, under 15s, and 10-11 year olds. We want to give every girl an opportunity to play, we’re not elitist.”
Project of the year – The Monday Youth Club
The Monday Youth Club was set up by Maureen Clemetson almost 19 years ago in her local church hall in East Finchley. The aim of the club was to provide youngsters between the ages of 7-12 and 13-16 with some place to go after school and to provide them with plenty of things to do to keep them engaged.
Maureen explains, “We’ve always provided membership, all activities, food and outings for children absolutely free of charge. The club started off with a handful of children attending in the first few months. Within 2 years the club had become so popular that we needed to relocate to cater for almost 50 children per session. Early on we were fortunate enough to have the trust and full sponsorship of a local businessman who wanted to help our community.
Over the years, I’m proud to say that I’ve supported three generations of young people through our club doors. I’ve watched them grow up and have children of their own who’ve also attended the Monday Youth Club, they all call me Aunty Maureen. It’s a joy to see them go on and do well. Recently, one of the old members contacted me to say that he is training to be a pilot and he’s promised to take me on a flight to Jamaica!”
Additional: “Today we are based in Tarling Road Community Centre and we continue to provide free activities, art, games and meals for local children.”
Good neighbour – Jenny Pymont
With 19 nominations, the winner of this year’s Good Neighbour Award is energetic 84-year-old Jenny Pymont.
Every day Jenny visits her neighbours to make sure that the elderly and infirm living in her sheltered housing scheme get help with their shopping, prescriptions, or anything else they may need. She is always singing or whistling, and just makes people smile.
On receiving her award Jenny fought back the tears and said, “Before my husband passed away, I promised him that I wouldn’t get down and depressed and that I’d continue to try to make people happy. With the love of my neighbours and friends like Anne and Gwen who’re here with me tonight, I’ve carried on, and I always try to make people smile and laugh. Thank you so much. This award makes me feel like a movie star!”
Image 2 Seated left to right, friends Gwen and Anne Flynn, and fellow Good Neighbour nominee Paul Smith. Standing, left to right, Carole Blackwood with Good Neighbour nominee Khalid Hassanyeh and winner Jenny Pymont.
Volunteer of the Year (under 25) – Olivia Da Cruz
Olivia is a sixth form student and was nominated for this award because she has repeatedly demonstrated her selflessness for her community within different settings. Olivia is kind-hearted, humorous and motivated. She has volunteered to assist with teaching subjects such as P.E to children in younger years at school, completed work experience with FUSE Youth Project, and guided youth work sessions for young people, as well as completed a junior leadership program with FUSE.
When asked what made Olivia start volunteering, she replied, “I was inspired to volunteer after we had a school visit and talk from a member of the FUSE community group that works in my local Stonegrove Estate. Now I like to volunteer at every event I can in Stonegrove. I like working with young people as I can relate to them and their issues and I find it easy to communicate with them.”
Volunteer of the Year (over 25) – Tanya Novick
Tanya is a volunteer at New Citizens’ Gateway (NCG) which is an independent registered charity working in partnership with individuals and agencies to improve the quality of life and promote the physical, social and mental well-being of refugees and asylum seekers. NCG work in London and surrounding areas, helping to reduce health inequalities, social exclusion and poverty and enabling integration supporting over 2,000 refugees and asylum seekers each year.
Tanya said, “I am very honoured to receive this award, especially in the company of the other wonderful nominees who are all doing such worthwhile work in the community. It is good to have the work we all do recognised & celebrated. I am delighted to accept the award on behalf of all my colleagues at NCG and the work we do with refugees & asylum-seekers.”
