Community Awards 2006 Nominees

Volunteer Worker of the Year

Age Concern’s Sole Mates
CHARITABLE ‘soles’ are being praised for giving pensioners relief without having to foot a hefty bill.

Since Gweneth Edgington broke her hip two years ago she has been unable to reach her feet to look after them meaning she was regularly in discomfort.

But Age Concern initiative Sole Mates, where trained volunteers treat and soothe the neglected appendages, has helped free her from the shackles of aching feet.

“ They’re so good, it’s wonderful,” said the 84-year-old widow from Hook Norton. “The volunteers are so friendly and never complain and the treatment’s as good as any professional I have had.”

The programme is organised and run by paid Age Concern staff, but the treatment is administered entirely by volunteers who will either visit a user’s home or hold group sessions.

A session starts with a warm, relaxing footbath and includes a thorough inspection, clean, toenail clipping and any filing required.
Recipients have to invest in their own £10 set of clippers and files and it costs £7 per session, the money being used to help keep the project going.

Mrs Edgington has nominated Sole Mates for the Volunteer Worker of the Year award.

George Parish
A CAMPAIGNING councillor and ‘man of the people’ is one of a kind.
George Parish is a special breed of politician, according to Chris Heath who has nominated the councillor of 16 years.

Representing Banbury Ruscote for Cherwell District Council and Banbury Town Council the Labour politician is renowned for getting behind local causes, currently serving as chairman for the Keep the Horton General Committee and vice-chairman of the Woodgreen Pool Support Group.

“ George is definitely a man of the people and he works so hard in everything he does which is always for the good of Banbury and its people,” said Mrs Heath of Bloxham. “Politicians like that are a dying breed.

“ I’ve known George for ten years and throughout that time he’s always been doing something for the town. His tireless work must make him one of the most well-known and well-loved characters in Banbury.”

Mr Parish, 64, of Glamis Place, Banbury, said: “I like to think that I’m a friend to everybody.”

Born and bred in Banbury, Mr Parish attended St Leonard’s and Grimsbury County Schools before going on to be the country’s youngest landlord when, aged 22, he and wife Sue took over The Vine in Market Place.

He then spent 33 years working as an operator and team leader at Kraft acting as the shop steward for the Transport and General Workers’ Union. He retired last year.

Jenny Nunneley
A WOMAN whose commitment is described as ‘second to none’ has been nominated in two categories.

Jenny Nunneley, who is the junior co-ordinator at Banbury Hockey Club, has been involved with the club for many years as a player and coach.

Her name has been put forward in both the Volunteer Worker of the Year category and the Sportsperson of the Year section.

Mrs Nunneley has worked with the club’s junior section since it began about eight years ago. More than 200 children attend training sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings and the juniors have enjoyed plenty of success this season.

The club’s head of communications Craig Irvine, who nominated Mrs Nunneley, said: “For many people at the hockey club, Jenny is Banbury Hockey Club. Her commitment is second to none and the work she does with the juniors is outstanding and over the years there have been many success stories.”

Seven of the men’s first team squad, including England under 16 international Tim Craven, and eight of the ladies’ firsts - which both achieved promotion this season - have come through the junior set-up.

Mrs Nunneley also in the club’s second team and is an active umpire on the league circuit. She is on the club’s executive committee and was recently awarded life membership in recognition of her years of hard work.

Bob Madge
THE world would be a better place if there were more people like campaigner Bob Madge, according to the person who has nominated him for an award.

Mr Madge, who has spent six years battling to prevent 1,000 houses being built on fields on the edge of Banbury, has been put forward for the Volunteer Worker award by Ron Glynn.

“ Bob has worked tirelessly and unstintingly in leading Cherwell Heights Housing Action Group (CHHAG) in opposing the massive Bankside plan from the onset of the threat six years ago,” said Mr Glynn of Canal Lane, Bodicote.

“ The group was formed at the request of residents who feared the worst for their community. Since then, Bob has spent countless hours studying documents and numerous letters, finding serious flaws in what would have passed unquestioned and challenging the council and developers again and again.

“ His brilliant abilities and unfailing knowledge of planning law, with his depth of insight, instigated a massive amount of objections and caused the proposal to be delayed.

“ Planners were forced to face many, many questions and look at matters of great concern that would otherwise have been waved through.”

In his nomination Mr Glynn said Mr Madge had displayed admirable leadership and inspiration and had kept the community and media informed.

Jimmy Prue
A MARVELLOUS and caring pensioner has been a godsend to older people all over Chipping Norton.

Elderly residents say there is nothing Jimmy Prue won’t do for them.
“ He is truly marvellous, an excellent man, a real character and he makes such a difference to my life,” said Eva Pickering, 85, of Cotswold Crescent, who had a stroke about five years ago.

Her husband Cyril, 83, suffers from dementia and the couple say they don’t know how they would cope without the tireless generosity of Mr Prue.

As well as helping many struggling older people with their shopping, prescriptions and gardening, Mr Prue is a regular bingo caller in Chipping Norton and Chadlington and regularly taxis people to and from the events if they cannot get there themselves.

Mrs Pickering and neighbour Nancy Hicks have nominated him in the Volunteer of the Year category.

Mr Prue says he is just one half of a caring partnership. His wife Patricia, 63, is still working as a home support worker for many people in Chippy.

“ I’ve been doing this for 30 or 40 years now and a lot of the people I help are old friends,” said the 71-year-old, also of Cotswold Crescent.

Oxfordshire Cheshire Homes Greenhill House volunteers
VOLUNTEERS make all the difference at a home for disabled adults.
The Oxfordshire Cheshire Home based in Greenhill House, Adderbury, has paid staff to look after its 26 residents with severe physical disabilities. But a key to its success is the small army of people who give up their time to work with the home’s clients and provide a bridge to the outside world.

Volunteer and activities co-ordinator Susan Woodward said: “Working with disabled people isn’t particularly easy and most of the volunteers don’t have a background in care. Yet they have brought so much quality of life to the residents and it makes such a huge difference; we wouldn’t be able to offer the wide range of activities we do without them.”

As well as helping out generally some of the volunteers use their own life skills and hold classes on various topics like arts and crafts.

“ They also bring in their own personalities and experiences,” added Ms Woodward.

“ That’s important because we’re quite isolated out here and the residents don’t get to mix with many people outside.”

In an effort to integrate residents into the community more, the Oxfordshire Cheshire Home will move to Banbury town centre next year.

The Banbury Guardian’s Home from Home appeal is raising money for an activity room at the new centre in Warwick Road.

As a sign of her appreciation for the work that the Greenhill House volunteers do, Ms Woodward has nominated them in the Volunteer Worker category of the Banbury Guardian Community Awards.

Alan Smith has been holding a twice-weekly newspaper discussion group at the home for just over a year. “I think I can speak for the other volunteers when I say it’s wonderful to be nominated and we’re honoured to have our names put forward,” said the 70-year-old of Bodicote. It was via his brother-in-law Keith Bristow, a volunteer for about 20 years, that Mr Smith got involved with Greenhill House.

He said: “I thought I’d give it a try and straight away I loved it. The residents are such loveable people and I’ve built up good relationships with them.

“But it doesn’t just go one way. It’s so rewarding for the volunteers and we all get a lot out of it. It’s very inspirational work and it helps put your own life in perspective; it can be very humbling.”

Karen Phillips
A TEENAGER has nominated the teacher assistant who has offered him regular educational support.

Drayton School student Aaron Barnes, 15, said the support that Karen Phillips had given him had improved his school work and chances of going into further education. He has now been offered a place at Oxford and Cherwell Valley College in Banbury.

Aaron said: “I have known Karen for five years and she has helped me through thick and thin.”

Mrs Philips has been offering Aaron assistance since he first joined secondary school five years ago. He said she regularly helped him during lessons and after school with all of his school subjects.

He added: “Karen is really helpful and has always been there for me. She is always helping me with my school class work and I think Karen deserves this award.”

Mrs Phillips works with about six students of Aaron's age who require extra support with their school work. She gives up her free time to attend college open evenings and interviews with the students to offer them the relevant advice and support they need.

She also takes time out of her personal life to arrange fun activities outside of school with the pupils, such as shopping excursions and day trips.

She said: “My relationship with the students has grown into a friendship. We all get on really well and I have seen them grow from young children into young adults. I am really proud of all of them and it is a surprise to be nominated.