Meet Wellingborough’s Community Heroes

Each year Wellingborough Homes encourages its tenants and staff to nominate residents who go the extra mile to make their community a better place to be.

This year 14 winners were announced at an awards ceremony, held during National Volunteers’ Week.

They included Mark Anstis, for his work picking up litter and clearing leaves around Knights Court, as well as clearing snow for neighbours during the bad weather last winter; Jim Roach for looking after the garden at Perkins Court sheltered housing scheme and Jennie Mitchell, for helping her neighbour after a bad fall.

Trish Harding, from Finedon, was nominated by Wellingborough Homes’ staff for always being on call to help her neighbours. Mrs Harding said: “It is important to look out for one another and being a good neighbour doesn’t cost a lot. It creates a sense of community. I like being around to help people and like to think I am someone people can call on. It was lovely to be recognised at the awards event.”

The other winners were Des Simpson for his work with Wellingborough Homes to tackle anti-social behaviour; Val and Richard Siddons for arranging social events and co-ordinating neighbourhood watch on the Hemmingwell estate; Mick Jones for his involvement with Wellingborough Homes’ tenants’ groups; Helena Grundy for arranging community events and trips for residents on the Queensway estate and Laura Osbourne, Michael and Nancy Treadwell, Maggie Bowen and Mary Medley - all for their good neighbourliness.

Dave Willis, chief executive of Wellingborough Homes, said: “This annual event recognises the good work of so many residents who go the extra mile to promote and encourage a sense of community spirit in their local area.

“From organising events and activities to simply being there and being prepared to put others first, each should be proud of the impact they are having on their neighbours and in their neighbourhoods.”