Community Stars Awards: Good Neighbour

James Brown

James is the founder of People First Keighley & Craven. He identified a need for adults with learning disabilities to be able to choose the social activities that they would like to do and spend time with friends.

From an evening where James and a friend met up, the organisation is now a registered charity with a membership of more than 200 people who meet regularly, and work to improve the lives of people with learning disabilities through inclusion and raising awareness of their needs both locally and nationally.

His nomination says: “James is an excellent ambassador for young people with learning disabilities who are looking for someone to act as a role model and mentor to follow.

“His commitment to paid work and voluntary work proves he leads by example, while supporting individuals to learn the unwritten social rules that society expects everyone to adhere to.

“Examples are: helping people realise that while adjustments are made to support someone with their learning disabilities, excuses are not supported for inappropriate behaviour, helping people to understand that we all have a duty and responsibility to contribute to our community and the wider society.”

Raymond Field

Raymond volunteers with his local church, providing coffee mornings there twice a week for local people to meet up and socialise. He is the voice of Neighbourhood Watch locally and looks after some of his neighbours by getting a bit of shopping or some lunch where needed.

Raymond is quick to speak up when he thinks something is wrong or a service is not being delivered properly. Raymond attends all the local Neighbourhoods Forums and is a voice of the people.

Raymond’s nomination reads: “Raymond has a caring nature with a tough exterior. It can take a while to get to know him, he can seem gruff but he has a heart of gold and will help anyone if he can.

“A tabletop sale was held at Laisterdyke Trinity Church which Raymond helped organise and set up. He was also involved in planning a Macmillan Coffee Morning in September to raise funds for this good cause.

Allan Glew

Allan is a volunteer and treasurer for the Bracken Bank Community Centre in Keighley where he organises fundraising events to support new activities for the benefit of the wider community.

Allan set up the Good Life Coffee Stop last year, which caters for elderly people suffering from mobility issues and isolation.

Allan looks after his neighbours, offering his time to ensure they are keeping well. Allan dedicated his time to a community centre refurbishment, offering painting and decorating. Allan is offering his support to a community clean-up which will bring local service providers and the community together.

According to his nomination: “He is a caring neighbour who always looks out for his fellow residents and often pops round to see that they are keeping well and offers his time to help them in any way that he can.

“Allan devotes his care and attention to everyone and everything. He is selfless and honest, shows compassion, is caring and understanding and is non-judgmental, mixed with his fantastic ability to make you laugh with his sense of humour. The local community benefits greatly from the dedication and commitment that Allan gives.”

Allan organised a fun day at the community centre, dedicating his time to planning, sourcing resources, fundraising, promoting the event, working with others and making ready for the event.

Allan organised a day trip to a local garden centre for those with mobility issues and suffering from isolation.

Allan has taken training to enable him to make further use of his skills to support his local community.