Volunteer Awards

The achievements of two Thamesmead residents were celebrated at the 5th annual Peabody Volunteer Awards held at City Hall on Wednesday 22 October.

More than 120 volunteers were joined by staff from the Peabody Group and partners; Big Lottery Fund and The London Community Foundation at the event which recognised volunteers and volunteer groups who have made a fantastic contribution to our communities, often by overcoming personal challenges.

Peabody’s Chief Executive, Stephen Howlett said: “These are exciting times for Thamesmead and Abu and Kate have made tremendous contributions to their area. We really value the time and effort they have each put into our community. They really are helping to make a difference to peoples’ lives.”

Six awards were presented in total with Kate Jones and Abu Bah (pictured right) being recognised for their efforts in Thamesmead;

Significant Personal Achievement Award was presented to volunteer, Kate Jones who set up, runs and manages Cadz Productions; an affordable community drama group. Kate suffers from Fibromyalgia, a muscle disease which means she is often in a great deal of pain and at times is unable to undertake physical activity. It was after eight months of being housebound that Kate decided to set-up the group so she could focus on others and be involved in her community.

Kate said: “Cadz is much more than just a performing arts group, it is a support group – we are like family. I can’t thank Trust Thamesmead enough for their continued support. You don’t expect recognition but it is lovely to receive. I feel really emotional.”

Change in the Community Award was presented to volunteer, Abu Bah who joined Trust Thamesmead as a Health and Wellbeing Volunteer. He has helped to carry out a Thamesmead-wide health and wellbeing audit, supporting the Royal Society for Public Health training and working closely with different health and wellbeing partners. Abu will also be assisting Trust Thamesmead with the coordination of a triage which will signpost doctor’s patients to other partners who are better placed to help them. When Abu isn’t volunteering, he is a PCSO and uses his knowledge of Thamesmead to assist the Trust with a range of outreach work which has already enabled them to make positive changes to the lives of Thamesmead residents and is poised to help them achieve much more.

Abu said: “It is a fantastic achievement that Peabody has recognised not only all the volunteer work I do but the great things myself and the Trust are achieving.”

Peabody works with 22 resident-led management committees who volunteer 24,000 hours of their time every year. This is on top of 410 individuals who volunteer their time to benefit their communities across London.

Peabody offers an extensive volunteering package with residents receiving ongoing training, free accredited qualifications, references and great experience ranging from office and administration work to helping to organise events and activities, befriending older people, volunteering with families or young people, teaching computer skills and more.

In 2012, Peabody was the first London housing association to be awarded an Investing in Volunteers accreditation, which recognises the excellent work we do.

Peabody also runs an employee volunteer programme – the "Peabody Promise" – which gives staff 14 hours' paid time off a year to help with community projects.

If you would like to take part in our volunteering programme, please contact Trust Thamesemad's Community Development Officer & Volunteer Coodinator, Sarah Feleppa, T: 020 8320 4470 or E: [email protected]