Volunteers were among the people and organisations recognised last week as part of the Coventry Health and Wellbeing Awards.
Volunteers were among the people and organisations recognised last week as part of the Coventry Health and Wellbeing Awards.
The event was held on behalf of the city’s Health and Wellbeing Board and 25 awards were given out. Twelve awards were given for outstanding contribution to health and wellbeing alongside eight awards from the Chair of the Health and Wellbeing Board.
Among five volunteer award recipients was Damon Croft, who is involved with Bell Green Amateur Boxing Gym. The gym started in January last year with just two young people and now, with Damon’s help, trains 55 young people every week.
Other projects receiving awards included the Hillfields Mobile clinic – which operates a Hillfields Health Day to offer a range of health support to the community; ‘It’s K to Talk’, which helps young people impacted by Ketamine use to access health assessments; and Macmillan Welfare Benefit Team who provide vital benefits and holistic advice to individuals and families facing the emotional, physical and financial impact of a cancer diagnosis.
Chairs Awards included Doug King for his support with the Sky Blues in the Community and Raja Mubarak who has provide sustained voluntary support to communities in Coventry, providing practical and emotional support to isolated elderly residents.
Cllr Kamran Caan, Chair of the Health and Wellbeing Board, said:“I founded and launched these awards in 2019 to recognise community members who uplift our community through their work and to inspire others to get involved to support our work.
“These are the fifth awards that we have held. We had more than 90 nominations, and the range of awards are proof of the amazing work that has had a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of local people.
“We wanted to recognise volunteers as well as organisations and senior figures – every recipient has played their part.
“It is important that we highlight all of their efforts and each one has their very own personal story to tell.”
Damon Croft said:“I’m absolutely delighted to receive this award. I’ve seen the Bell Green Boxing Gym expand since January last year and I volunteer my time to make a difference to the young people who come along.”
Organisations were also awarded for their outstanding contribution to health and wellbeing in Coventry.
Dina Oketch, who helps run the Hillfields Mobile Clinic, said:“We have been using a mobile van to raise health awareness in the Hillfields area and it is really overwhelming to receive the award for outstanding contribution to health and wellbeing. We are grateful and we want to do a lot more work in this area.”
Coventry’s Deputy Lord Mayor, Cllr Roger Bailey, also presented the awards. He said:“I know only too well the importance of health and wellbeing and it was a privilege for me to meet so many deserving award winners. They are a credit to the city, and I hope their work can go from strength to strength.”