Region 6 celebrates double success at awards ceremony!


Two members from region 6 have won awards at Community's first annual awards ceremony which was held to celebrate the diverse achievements of members across the country.

The winners, Brenda Clarke and Rae Twidale won in the categories of Activist of the Year and Lifelong Learner of the year respectively.

Says Rae: 'I feel exceptionally honoured to get this award, I've never won anything in my life.'

Rae works as a community development worker, supporting people in the community and helping them gain access to information and education. She has helped to set up a new drop in centre on the Westcliff estate which is in a disadvantaged area of Scunthorpe.

'It's not just an award for me though, because the work that I do here isn't solely mine, the award belongs to the whole team.'

As well as helping others in the community to develop their skills and training, Rae helps colleagues with their learning.

'I've delivered a lot of development work courses and a union learner reps course through Community. I'm also a qualified tutor in community development.

I'd definitely recommend that anyone who is interested in doing voluntary work access as much as is possible in terms of training, anything that would give them the knowledge to move forward.'

Brenda works in her local corner shop, Seven till Ten, but also works voluntarily in her community drop in shop, which offers employment advice to people looking for jobs.

'It was a complete surprise to win the award because I was only doing what I've always done! I hold a surgery at the drop in shop three times a month, giving advice to job seekers,' says Brenda.

Brenda has been a member of Community for 32 years and is keen for others to take an active role: 'I would really encourage other people to get involved in voluntary work and learning with the union,' she says. 'That's the only way forward isn't it? You never know how far you can get until you start!'

The other award winners were Claire Main and Denis Tytek from region 2 who won Young Member of the Year and Branch Officer of the Year. A region 8 member won in the category of Organiser of the Year.