Zenab Ali: RBH Young Community Volunteer of the Year

Zenab Ali with awards panel member Chris Baldock

Zenab Ali has been named RBH Young Community Volunteer of the Year for her volunteering with young people in Greave and in Lower Falinge, and for her work on an award-winning project to enable young people with disabilities to get involved in sporting activities.

Volunteers from across Rochdale Borough had their dedication recognised on Saturday (17 September) at the annual RBH Community Volunteer Awards.

Thirty six nominations were received across eight categories, reflecting the hard work of community volunteers in Heywood, Middleton, Rochdale and the Pennines area.

The awards were presented by RBH Head of Business Excellence, Elaine Johnson, with Chris Baldock (employee panel member) and Pam Radcliffe (tenant panel member) handing out the awards to the winners.

Ms Johnson said: “We recognise that residents who go the extra mile make our neighbourhoods successful, and so each year we invite our members to nominate those volunteers who go above and beyond to help their communities.

“All our nominees undertake amazing work and our panel had an almost impossible task to choose the winners.

“These awards are a chance to say thank you to all those who are nominated for the fantastic work that they do.”

Full list of winners

Community volunteer of the year: Dianne Riley (Greave) for her work as Chair of the Greave Tenants and Residents Association.

Young community volunteer of the year: Zenab Ali (Greave and Lower Falinge) for her volunteering with young people in Greave and in Lower Falinge, and for her work on an award-winning project to enable young people with disabilities to get involved in sporting activities.

Good neighbour award: Derrick Wilson (Falinge Hill) for supporting his neighbours in Falinge Hill with DIY tasks and providing good company to those who find it difficult to leave the house.

Supporting independent living schemes: Joan Littlehales (Ravendale) for helping to run a range of activities at Ravendale, including bidding for funding for the “knit and natter” group which has knitted blankets for the baby unit at Oldham Hospital and to be sent to areas of need overseas.

Improving the environment: Zofia Przywitowski (Heywood) for her work gardening and tidying at her block of flats in Heywood.

Improving RBH services: Andrew Johnson (College Bank) for volunteering at the College Bank Tenants and Residents Association and for his work on a number of RBH committees and as the Vice Chair of the RBH Representative Body.

Providing digital support: David Rothwell (Heady Hill, Heywood) for organising and running the IT Suite at Heady Hill, helping residents to get online, get into work and combat social isolation.

Business in the community: Richard Hagan (Crystal Doors) for the support that Crystal Doors and Richard personally have given to the fantastic Q Gardens project in Kirkholt.