Our Debbie’s Community Efforts Rewarded
Our very own Health and Wellbeing Development Manager, Debbie Bates, has been presented with a special award from the Mayor of her home town.
In recognition of her work as lead co-ordinator with Kingsbury Good Neighbours, Debbie has received a certificate of achievement from the Mayor of North Warwickshire, Councillor Tony Clews.
Alongside two other residents, Debbie launched the group at the start of the Coronavirus pandemic to support the elderly and vulnerable by collecting their shopping and medicines and making regular telephone calls to check on their welfare.
Kingsbury Good Neighbours also established its own quarterly newsletter to keep residents informed and engaged, provided Christmas gifts for vulnerable children and adults and cooked and delivered festive dinners for local people.
“Coordinating the Kingsbury Good Neighbour Group, alongside volunteering at Water Orton Covid Test Centre was an absolute privilege and gave me the opportunity to meet so many wonderful, caring and kind members of the local community who all stood up to the challenge in supporting each other through Covid-19,” said Debbie.
“The god neighbour group itself would not have mobilised so quickly and seamlessly without the joint coordination from fellow volunteer Claire Hutton; who initially supported forming the group, alongside our local councillors and local Reverend.
“This added to the generosity of local businesses and the amazing volunteers who went above and beyond to support vulnerable individuals who were shielding or isolating. The community rallied together to provide laptops and Christmas gifts to local children and families. It enabled us all to achieve so much and make wonderful friends and memories along the way.”
