Belvedere Manor Residents Association scooped the overall award at the 21st Annual Waterford PPN Community & Voluntary Awards last Thursday evening at the gala awards ceremony in The Park Hotel, Dungarvan.
The judges said:
This group has brought neighbours together, supported vulnerable residents, mental health, youth engagement and inclusion. They mobilise quickly in times of crisis to combat loneliness and foster social connection for all ages. Not happy with what they have done over the past 30 years the group have more plans for the future.
These include expanding their Youth Engagement by launching a Youth Residents Sub-Group, improving their social media page with real-time updates, a resident’s feedback portal, creating a community app or newsletter to keeps residents informed.
Belvedere Manor Residents Association will represent Waterford at the Pride of Place Awards, next year, a national competition. This prestigious award is presented to the group which demonstrates excellence in Community Participation and Involvement,
Deputy Mayor John Pratt congratulated the finalists saying:
“The breath of community work in Waterford is astounding and each and every one of these groups and individuals contribute so much to our communities. “From residents associations to youth coaching, and age action initiatives to committee volunteers, these community and voluntary networks have a profound, positive effect on the communities they operate within.”
A packed house of over 200 people attended the gala ceremony which included Deputy Mayor of Waterford City & County Council, Cllr. John Pratt, Minister Mary Butler, Minister John Cummins, TD Conor D. McGuinness, Council Management, elected reps, sponsors, adjudicators, Council staff, Secretariat members and staff of Waterford PPN and representatives from all groups and individuals nominated for this year’s awards.
Group Category Awards
1. Children & Youth sponsored by Expressway – St. Pauls Scout Group
2. Community Safety sponsored by Waterford Community Safety Partnership – Re-A-Suir
3. Environment & Conservation sponsored by South East Energy Agency – Tidy Towns Tramore
4. Health & Wellbeing sponsored by BHP Insurance – Fiontar Pobail
5. Social Enterprise sponsored by Cairde Credit Union & Journi Credit Union – Chronic Health Advocate CLG
6. Social Inclusion & Community Support sponsored by Local Link Waterford – Tallow Men’s Shed
7. Spik & Span- Best Kept Residential Area sponsored by Waterford City & County Council – Belvedere Manor Residents Association
Individual Volunteer Awards sponsored by Waterford Volunteer Centre
Age Friendly Volunteer of the Year – Gus Fitzgerald, Francis Court Age Action
Board/Committee Member of the Year- – Csilla Czelvikker, Waterford New Communities Network
Junior Volunteer of the Year – Kellie Walsh, Dungarvan Rugby