Winners announced for "Women who make a Difference"
Awards 2008
The work of women who have given up their time to improve life
for others in Bath and North East Somerset was celebrated in March,
just prior to International Women's Day at a reception in the
Chairman of the Council's Office.
The Bath and North East Somerset ‘Women Who Make a Difference’
Awards seek to highlight the many and varied contributions that
women make to life in Bath and North East Somerset, whether
this is through voluntary work within the
community, acting as role models to others, or in other ways
making a substantial difference to the lives of people within the
community. The main aim of the Awards is to highlight
the contributions women make to our lives that often go
unrecognised and unrewarded.
This years award winners are as follows:
Caz Snell: Caz was
nominated for an award for the contribution that she makes to
the community of Whiteway, Southdown and Twerton. Caz
was nominated not just for the work she does in her paid role (she
is a domestic violence advisor) but in her unpaid role as the chair
of the Somer Residents Area panel. She has made an enormous
difference to the area by arranging events such as community
litter picks and organising an annual Christmas hamper
project, providing around 120 less fortunate members of the
community with a special box of goodies.
Pauline
Swaby Wallace: Pauline was nominated for her work as
co-ordinator of BEMSCA – (the Black and Ethnic Minority Senior
Citizen’s Association) and for the numerous other projects she is
involved in within the community in a voluntary
capacity. BEMSCA, now in its 15th year, is a
club that provides lunch and advice to older members of the black
and minority ethnic community. Pauline’s drive and desire to
serve the community is the reason why BEMSCA is so successful
today, with so many longstanding members.
Jean Meredith: Jean was
nominated because of the efforts she has made to
raise money for charity. In her time, Jean has run a
staggering 40 full marathons and 60 half marathons – all to raise
money for charity. Jean also runs a
hairdressers in Radstock which is a part of the
community. If any of her customers find it difficult to get
to her – Jean will go and pick them up, with no extra cost.
Jean finds time for other people - she goes and visits customers
who are in hospital, always putting others before herself.
Audrey Humphries: Audrey
was nominated because of the way she has dedicated her life to
the care of children (in an orphanage, then at the RUH special baby
case unit, and more recently, as a foster carer. In her
nomination, it was highlighted that the warm and supportive
environment that Audrey’s home gives makes such a difference to a
child’s development and well being.
Jane O’Hara: Jane was
nominated for her work to promote community cohesion
locally through the Bath Interfaith Evening and the Interfaith
Group. The Bath International evening has been held
annually in Bath since 1991 with the aim of bringing together our
diverse local communities. Jane, as a member of the Bahai community
has been involved in all aspects of the planning for the evenings,
in addition to carrying out the role of treasurer.
Jane is involved
in SACRE – the Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education
and has recently been successful in obtaining funding from the
Faith Communities capacity Building Fund – to provide RE teachers
with first hand experience of other faith communities.
