Barnet Homes celebrates six of the best!

The selfless efforts of residents and groups across Barnet to improve their neighbourhoods and communities have been celebrated at a special awards ceremony.

The Barnet Homes 2009 Resident Awards saw six prizes given to tenants, leaseholders and community workers who have gone the extra mile to improve other people’s lives.

Each of the winners was presented with a trophy and prize at Barnet Homes’ Annual General Meeting last night (Wednesday 11 November).

Chair of the Barnet Homes Board, Vi Britchfield, said: “It is very heartening that there are so many people in Barnet who are willing to give up their time to help others. Most don’t seek recognition – they just quietly work towards creating better neighbourhoods and stronger communities.

“Our Resident Awards are a time when we can say ‘thank you’ to those unsung residents and groups who have gone the extra mile. It was a pleasure to meet them at the awards ceremony and I hope others will be inspired by their example.”

It is the third year that Barnet Homes has held its Resident Awards. This year saw the introduction of a new award in memory of Barnet housing campaigner Pauline King, who died in August following a long battle with cancer.

Pauline dedicated almost 20 years of her life to giving council tenants and leaseholders across Barnet a real say in issues that affected their lives, firstly as Chair of the Barnet Federation of Tenants’ and Residents’ Associations from 1992 and then the Barnet Borough Confederation of Residents’ Associations.

The Barnet Homes 2009 Resident Award winners were:

Pauline King Award – Emma Brown

Emma has been a youth and community Worker on the Stonegrove and Spur Road Estate since September 2008. She has worked on peer mentoring, music projects, sports tournaments, a gardening club and is now starting a cine club to help residents make films.

Young Person Award - Deena Kasu

Deena was elected as youth representative by her peers at the Stonegrove and Spur Road youth club and then as chair of the younger youth forum, for children aged eight to 11.

Resident Group Award – Stonegrove and Spur Road Community Group

A well established community group, they have successfully campaigned in the past for a community garden and a children’s ball park, both of which have been extremely successful.

Staff Choice Resident of the Year Award – John Findell

A resident at Prospect Place, East Finchley, John is a member of the Sheltered Housing Partnership Panel and has joined Barnet Council’s Floating Support Panel.

Community Leader Award – Wendy Hillier

Wendy has been actively involved in making a difference for the lives of residents in Childs Hill through a wide range of community schemes.

Youth Leader Award – Haley Blackman

Haley has been involved in setting up and volunteering at West Hendon Youth Club. Among other things she has secured funding for the youth club’s music project.

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