2020 Local Heroes GROUPS
SUPREME CHAMPIONS: LOCAL HEROES - GROUPS
This year, the Show’s Supreme Champions will be people’s champions from Inverclyde or West Renfrewshire -
Voting has now closed.
Congratulations to all our finalists, you are all amazing and we are grateful for everything you do for our community - you are all heroes!
After a close public vote, we are very pleased to announce the winners:
CHAMPION GROUP - Branchton Community Centre
CHAMPION INDIVIDUAL - Eileen Kane
RUNNER UP GROUP - Sew Kind
RUNNER UP INDIVIDUAL - Fergus Dorrington
Congratulations to all our winners - we will be in touch with the winners and finalists this week! See below for more info on the winners.
Thank you for nominating your Local Heroes and for voting for them. Thank you to our generous sponsors and to those who have donated to the prize pot - it’s still open so in lieu of entry fees, if you can, please give a donation to the 2 group winners via our PayPal account.
As a registered charity the Society is subject to external auditing and as such, please be assured 100% of the donations received for the local heroes will be gifted to the winners.
See further down page for a list of the nominees and some of the reasons they have been nominated.
This year, the Show’s Supreme Champions will be people’s champions from Inverclyde or West Renfrewshire -
a local person and a local organisation nominated by the public for going above and beyond to help others during this crisis.
For Individual Nominees please visit the Individual page.
Congratulations to all our finalists, you are all amazing and we are grateful for everything you do for our community - you are all heroes!
After a close public vote, we are very pleased to announce the winners:
CHAMPION GROUP - Branchton Community Centre
CHAMPION INDIVIDUAL - Eileen Kane
RUNNER UP GROUP - Sew Kind
RUNNER UP INDIVIDUAL - Fergus Dorrington
Congratulations to all our winners - we will be in touch with the winners and finalists this week! See below for more info on the winners.
Thank you for nominating your Local Heroes and for voting for them. Thank you to our generous sponsors and to those who have donated to the prize pot - it’s still open so in lieu of entry fees, if you can, please give a donation to the 2 group winners via our PayPal account.
As a registered charity the Society is subject to external auditing and as such, please be assured 100% of the donations received for the local heroes will be gifted to the winners.
See further down page for a list of the nominees and some of the reasons they have been nominated.
Belville Community Gardens
• They are also refurbishing bikes for frontline key workers and offering free bike repair for them.
• They are providing free Laptops and wifi dongles to bridge the digital divide so that young people are not doubly disadvantaged by the pandemic. Any young person from P7 to senior years without tech - 280 computers in total. We have supplied 30 so far with a further 100 ordered.
If anyone wishes to donate to Beliville, they can donate money or unwanted laptops or adult bikes. We can uplift from certain areas - contact us for details: www.belvillecommunitygarden.org.uk
Branchton Community Centre
The staff and volunteers at Branchton Community Centre have been nominated.
At the end of March 2020, the staff at Branchton started to offer some essential items to people in their local area next to the Centre. This led to the idea of making a sandwich for lunch for some people and then this turned into delivering some hot meals.
Only seven weeks later Branchton Community Centre recently delivered its 10,000th Meal to vulnerable people all over Inverclyde.
Staff and volunteers source food, cook it, pack it and deliver it to over 350 people from Wemyss Bay to Port Glasgow every day. As well as a hot meal, the service also offers free essential items such as groceries and toiletries. Another important aspect of the work is the ability of the 13 delivery drivers to make contact every day with vulnerable people and to check that all is OK.
https://www.facebook.com/BranchtonCC/
Compassionate Inverclyde
This organisation who are associated with Ardgowan Hospice received a nomination for their continued support to anyone (usually elderly) being discharged from hospital. They normally provide Back Home Boxes and visitors but they have extended their assistance to Isolation Boxes being delivered to vulnerabe residents. This is run in conjunction with Branchton, ensuring that the elderly have a supply of nutritious food and drink. They provide a prescription delivery service for anyone in isolation. During the Covid 19 crisis they have also supplied nightwear, toiletries and refreshments to patients in the IRH. Not to be forgotten are the ambulance teams, ancillary workers, those working at the IRH, Larkfield and Orchard View who received treats, hand creams and special face mask extenders. Compassionate Inverclyde is mostly supported by volunteers and are an inspirational group. https://ardgowanhospice.org.uk/how-we-can-help/compassionate-inverclyde/
Hope Community Church
Also known as Inverclyde Food Bank and the i58 Project. During the Covid 19 crisis they have turned their food bank into a 100% delivery service, for anyone in need of food due to financial difficulties.
Many of their volunteers are elderly therefore it is paramount that they maintain social distancing. The Pastors organise weekly zoom calls with the church youth, email prayer points and contact every single person in the church to ensure they are well and offer help where needed. http://hopeinverclyde.com/contact
Inverclyde Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services Team
Nominated for for their continued work within the community to help support children and young people who are under 18. Their team assess mental health issues, implement interventions and risk assess alongside safety planning. They have adapted their way of working by offering online encrypted video links or telephone consultations. The team often go unnoticed for the work that they are still doing, once this pandemic is over they are going to be inundated with referrals due to the severe impact on mental health. https://www.nhsggc.org.uk/your-health/health-services/specialist-childrens-services/our-services/inverclyde-camhs/#
Parklea Branching Out
Sew Kind
Emily Wilson and Anna Watson are both only 13 and are from Lochwinnoch and Quarriers. They founded 'Sew Kind' last year because they wanted to raise money for Charity. They raised over £1200 for the Beatson. They were nominated because at the moment they have been really busy making things for NHS - bags for the RAH and local GP surgeries. They have also been making things for the workers in local care home and are busy making face masks for people to raise money for NHS charities. They are doing this along with keeping up with their schoolwork. Well done to both of them.
Staff at Kilmacolm Pharmacy
The team at Kilmacolm Pharmacy have been fabulous, they were put under an enormous amount of stress especially at the start of the Coronavirus pandemic. Their willingness to help and stay calm under extreme preasure is a credit to their team.
Your Voice Inverclyde
Nominations were received for everyone who volunteers at Belville Community Gardens. They were one of the first organisations who sent out isolation packs to those in need. They have worked tirelessly during the past 6 weeks, prior to this their aim is to raise awareness of the environment through educational classes and nature walks.
Since the Coronavirus outbreak started:
• They have had 130 new volunteers joining to help provide the self isolation boxes - they have provided over 1800 boxes so far.
• They have supplied 7 fridge freezers to vulnerable families struggling after their fridge has broken. • They are also refurbishing bikes for frontline key workers and offering free bike repair for them.
• They are providing free Laptops and wifi dongles to bridge the digital divide so that young people are not doubly disadvantaged by the pandemic. Any young person from P7 to senior years without tech - 280 computers in total. We have supplied 30 so far with a further 100 ordered.
If anyone wishes to donate to Beliville, they can donate money or unwanted laptops or adult bikes. We can uplift from certain areas - contact us for details: www.belvillecommunitygarden.org.uk
Branchton Community Centre
The staff and volunteers at Branchton Community Centre have been nominated.
At the end of March 2020, the staff at Branchton started to offer some essential items to people in their local area next to the Centre. This led to the idea of making a sandwich for lunch for some people and then this turned into delivering some hot meals.
Only seven weeks later Branchton Community Centre recently delivered its 10,000th Meal to vulnerable people all over Inverclyde.
Staff and volunteers source food, cook it, pack it and deliver it to over 350 people from Wemyss Bay to Port Glasgow every day. As well as a hot meal, the service also offers free essential items such as groceries and toiletries. Another important aspect of the work is the ability of the 13 delivery drivers to make contact every day with vulnerable people and to check that all is OK.
https://www.facebook.com/BranchtonCC/
Hope Community Church
Also known as Inverclyde Food Bank and the i58 Project. During the Covid 19 crisis they have turned their food bank into a 100% delivery service, for anyone in need of food due to financial difficulties.
Many of their volunteers are elderly therefore it is paramount that they maintain social distancing. The Pastors organise weekly zoom calls with the church youth, email prayer points and contact every single person in the church to ensure they are well and offer help where needed. http://hopeinverclyde.com/contact
Inverclyde Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services Team
Nominated for for their continued work within the community to help support children and young people who are under 18. Their team assess mental health issues, implement interventions and risk assess alongside safety planning. They have adapted their way of working by offering online encrypted video links or telephone consultations. The team often go unnoticed for the work that they are still doing, once this pandemic is over they are going to be inundated with referrals due to the severe impact on mental health. https://www.nhsggc.org.uk/your-health/health-services/specialist-childrens-services/our-services/inverclyde-camhs/#
Parklea Branching Out
Parklea Branching Out is local charity and operates a valuable community resource within Port Glasgow, Inverclyde. Our core mission is to support local people with learning and additional support needs through social and therapeutic horticulture. Our Clients are adults (aged from 16 onwards) with a wide range of cognitive disabilities and other complex diagnoses such as Autism, Down’s Syndrome, Fragile X, Williams Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, acquired brain injury, communication difficulties and multiple and physical disabilities.
Over the last few weeks and weeks to come we will be providing the following services and support to our clients and other vulnerable members of our community:
1. The weekly collection, sorting and storage of FareShare food in partnership with Inverclyde Council, local supermarkets and partner agencies (4 days per week)
2. Organising and delivery of 40 food ‘comfort boxes food/comfort/flower/veggie boxes to those most in need (2 days per week)
3. The preparation of 70 meals per week fresh, nutritious meals cooked by our Catering Officer, which are distributed to individuals who are identified as most in need of support.
4. Maintain regular weekly contact and offer our services and support to all our young people and adults and their families and carers and to those who would normally attend PBO on a weekly basis.
5. To offer support to other members of our community with additional support needs who may be struggling and in need of support through food, meals, motivation or signposted to another area of support or service.
www.parkleaassociation.org.uk
1. The weekly collection, sorting and storage of FareShare food in partnership with Inverclyde Council, local supermarkets and partner agencies (4 days per week)
2. Organising and delivery of 40 food ‘comfort boxes food/comfort/flower/veggie boxes to those most in need (2 days per week)
3. The preparation of 70 meals per week fresh, nutritious meals cooked by our Catering Officer, which are distributed to individuals who are identified as most in need of support.
4. Maintain regular weekly contact and offer our services and support to all our young people and adults and their families and carers and to those who would normally attend PBO on a weekly basis.
5. To offer support to other members of our community with additional support needs who may be struggling and in need of support through food, meals, motivation or signposted to another area of support or service.
www.parkleaassociation.org.uk
Sew Kind
Emily Wilson and Anna Watson are both only 13 and are from Lochwinnoch and Quarriers. They founded 'Sew Kind' last year because they wanted to raise money for Charity. They raised over £1200 for the Beatson. They were nominated because at the moment they have been really busy making things for NHS - bags for the RAH and local GP surgeries. They have also been making things for the workers in local care home and are busy making face masks for people to raise money for NHS charities. They are doing this along with keeping up with their schoolwork. Well done to both of them.
Staff at Campbell Snowdon Care Home
All the staff at Campbell Snowdon care home in Quarriers have been nominated, with special mention to the care home manager, Jim Melville. We have always been very impressed with the level of care, compassion and respect shown towards them and their fellow residents by the staff. The Covid-19 pandemic has more than confirmed these observations as being accurate. The staff's approach during this time has been a real source of comfort for those with loved ones who are unable to be visited at this time.
Ordinarily you are able to witness the considerate care shown first hand and whenever you visit you are met with a warm smile by whomever greets you at the door. Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic families were encouraged to participate in daily and special activities in the care home (my 4 year old daughter was a regular at the Monday bingo alongside one of her great grandmothers!). However, despite the enforced lock-down, residents continue to enjoy a wide range of entertainment including a Mad Hatters Tea Party, VE Day Anniversary celebrations, Race Day and, on a more exotic note, Hawaiian day (I understand there was no truth in the rumour that Jim Melville was wearing a grass skirt and coconut shells - still, no smoke without fire...).
Jim and his staff go the extra mile, for example creating a small farm in the back garden with rabbits, chickens, ducks and guinea pigs. However, during the pandemic Jim has actually been travelling the extra mile as well, picking up and dropping off staff during lock-down to minimise risk to residents (and staff) from staff travelling by taxi or public transport and also to provide continuity of care for the residents, something that is vital to this vulnerable group of residents. https://www.abbeyfield.com/residential-care-homes/campbell-snowdon-house-in-bridge-of-weir-at-pa11-3sx/
Ordinarily you are able to witness the considerate care shown first hand and whenever you visit you are met with a warm smile by whomever greets you at the door. Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic families were encouraged to participate in daily and special activities in the care home (my 4 year old daughter was a regular at the Monday bingo alongside one of her great grandmothers!). However, despite the enforced lock-down, residents continue to enjoy a wide range of entertainment including a Mad Hatters Tea Party, VE Day Anniversary celebrations, Race Day and, on a more exotic note, Hawaiian day (I understand there was no truth in the rumour that Jim Melville was wearing a grass skirt and coconut shells - still, no smoke without fire...).
Jim and his staff go the extra mile, for example creating a small farm in the back garden with rabbits, chickens, ducks and guinea pigs. However, during the pandemic Jim has actually been travelling the extra mile as well, picking up and dropping off staff during lock-down to minimise risk to residents (and staff) from staff travelling by taxi or public transport and also to provide continuity of care for the residents, something that is vital to this vulnerable group of residents. https://www.abbeyfield.com/residential-care-homes/campbell-snowdon-house-in-bridge-of-weir-at-pa11-3sx/
Staff at Confident Care
Nominations were received for the commitment and hard work the care team provides. They have put their own health at risk to look after elderly members of our community. Many family members are unable to visit their loved ones, the time spent with these vulnerable people is essential for their wellbeing. The Confident Care team are going above and beyond, even more than usual, at this demanding time. http://confidentcare.co.uk/Staff at Kilmacolm Pharmacy
The team at Kilmacolm Pharmacy have been fabulous, they were put under an enormous amount of stress especially at the start of the Coronavirus pandemic. Their willingness to help and stay calm under extreme preasure is a credit to their team.
Your Voice Inverclyde
This team of mostly volunteers were nominated for developing, structuring and organising themselves across 2 new sets of activities in support of 2 new services. Which are, to support the demand for human and soical contact at a time when people are starting to socially withdraw and become self isolated. This is in support of Inverclyde Community Action Response Group. They answer every single call from the community who are looking for self isolation food boxes from Belville Community Gardens. They also set up a "keep in contact" telephone call service, these volunteers, since lock down, made over 3,300 telephone calls to vulnerable members of our community. This team are providing a support framework and engaging across our entire community, they are our unsung heroes. http://yourvoice.org.uk/
The Ark on the Clyde
The Ark on the Clyde supplied over 100 essential food boxes in the first week of lockdown and continued to support anyone who requested more, since then we have provided free garden supplies and are about to extend this to provide free grow your own vegetable packs. Although the Ark were nominated, and are delighted to make the final list, they have decided to withdraw themselves from the public vote due to their close association with the Agricultural Society.
