All of the winners at the 2010 Local Hearts Awards
At the Council House last Friday evening (22nd October), a special awards dinner was held to celebrate the nominees for the 2010 Local Hearts Awards, and announce the award winners. Giving praise and recognition for all of the work done by these unsung heroes intheir communities, the evening was hosted by the Deputy Lord Mayor, Councillor Michael Wilkes and the Deputy Lady Mayoress, Mrs Vivienne Wilkes and compered by local poets Spoz and Matt Windle.
All of the winners and highly commended nominees received prizes which will help them to continue their great work in the community and help to make future projects become a reality.
Mick Williams, winner of the Active Citizen (Male) Award at the 2010 Local Hearts Awards
Winner of the Active Citizen (Male) Award at the 2010 Local Hearts Awards, Mick Williams talks about the commitment to renwable energy sources, and the role that development of organic produce can have as an educational tool for children in the community.
RocNewz are awarded the prize for Young People's Group at the 2010 Local Hearts Awards
The winners of the Young People’s Group Award were RocNewz, the creators of a newsletter aimed at Birmingham’s children in care.
The group selects themes for articles, reports on news, views and events and provides information on issues that affect looked after young people, highlighting their concerns.
The RocNewz reporters undertook their first major roving reporters’ assignment earlier this year at the G2K10, a summer fun consultation event for Birmingham’s children in care.
Nick Reynolds collects the Community Learning Award at the 2010 Local Hearts Awards
At the 2010 Local Hearts Awards Nick Reynolds received the prize of the Community Learning Award, sponsored by Residents University and Birmingham City Council’s Take Part programme.
Along with a handful of other residents, Nick Reynolds set up the Roman Way residents’ group in Edgbaston about five years ago. Thanks to Nick’s efforts, the group has gone from strength to strength and is now a community interest company (CIC), with Nick as its company secretary.
Nick never misses an opportunity to learn and to enable others to do so by sharing his knowledge and experience. He sits on the council of the Resident University, which provides a programme of events and learning opportunities for people who live and work in Birmingham’s neighbourhoods. (more…)
Sister Helen Ryan collects her award for Active Citizen (Female) at the 2010 Local Hearts Awards
Sister Helen Ryan sums up the impact of her work and that of fellow volunteers as social cohesion, and helping the most vulnerable people in communities is clearly at the forefront of this. Sister Helen was talking to us after accepting her award for Active Citizen (Female) at the 2010 Local Hearts Awards. You can hear the interview in full below.
Representatives of Balsall Heath CATS at the 2010 Local Hearts Awards
Nazreen Bi, of Balsall Heath Children Action Team Support (CATS), talks on behalf of the organisation about the origins of the organisation and the impact of young volunteers on the work they do, as well as how they serve children and families in the local area. Nazreen’s passion for the work is obvious during the interview, and it’s clear why the organisation is held in such high esteem within the community.
Visibly thrilled with his award, Luke McClean beamed while talking about some of the projects he’s been active in, including a community cafe and a youth club for young people, as well as his future as a social entrepreneur. Asked about how it feels to win an award, he grinned:
“You don’t do it to get an award and you don’t do it to get anything out of it; you do it because you see people’s faces and the kids are so enthusiastic. It’s such a buzz and it makes you feel amazing.”
Joan Knowles, winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2010 Local Hearts Awards, talks about the enjoyment she’s got from working for the benefit of the community. She reflects on life as a foster parent and the opportunities that are open for other people to get the same satisfaction Joan has derived from helping others. You can listen to an interview with her in full below.
This next video instalment from Birmingham City Council is an insight into Birmingham’s democracy in action, detailing the proceeding for City Council meetings, together with commentary from a wide range of councillors and what democracy means to them.
It makes for an intriguing look at the democratic process at local level, the formalities and traditions which are observed (e.g. nodding at the mace, which you can see at around the 4:35 mark), and a glimpse behind the scenes at the Council Chamber.
Birmingham City Council has recently published some videos which take a magnifying glass to democracy in Birmingham. The first of these puts the spotlight on the ‘mayor making’ process, which gives details of the ceremony involved as well as exploring the role of a Lord Mayor in a modern city.
At around the 4:30 mark there’s further insight into the tradition and a look at the expectations which help to define the role of Lord Mayor of Birmingham.
