Worthy winners

WELL done . . . Joyce Todd receives the Lifetime Achievement Award, pictured with (from left) Oldham Mayor, Councillor Jim McArdle; Youth Mayor, Mohammed Adil; and NDC chief executive Gordon Roscoe

COMMUNITY ambassadors in Hathershaw and Fitton Hill have been officially recognised at a glittering awards ceremony at the Queen Elizabeth Hall.

The New Deal for Communities fourth Achievers’ Awards recognised residents off all ages for making an outstanding contribution in Hathershaw and Fitton Hill. This year’s categories included achievement in learning, business acumen, health promotion, young people in education and young people in community work (known as the go-getters), among others.

NHS Oldham chief executive Gail Richards; Oldham Mayor, Councillor Jim McArdle; and MPs Michael Meacher and Phil Woolas were on hand to present gongs to 58 ecstatic recipients.



Joyce Todd was the recipient of the special Lifetime Achiever’s Award.

The 63-year-old, of Villa Road, has been an ambassador for her community right from the start.

She fought long and hard to get alleygates in Hathershaw to stop the number of burglaries and rubbish tipped in the area.

Joyce was instrumental in getting the fly-tipped areas cleared and has made two DVDs about policing and safety.

She also sent an 800-signature petition about the non-policing of the area to MP Michael Meacher and wrote to the late Greater Manchester Police chief Michael Todd.

Humbled

A meeting was held in response to the letter and the area has since experienced better policing.

Joyce said: “People come to me for help and I never turn them away — I don’t believe in that.”

Joyce, a freelance journalist, is a former member of Hathershaw Residents’ Association and was a board member for the old Hathershaw Community Centre.

On winning the award, she said: “I am really honoured and humbled.

“I’m still at a loss as to why I have been chosen . . . but I would like to thank everyone who voted for me.”




FATIMA & RIZWAN AHMAD



FATIMA and Rizwan Ahmad were recognised for providing care and support to people with learning, physical and sensory disabilities.



They set up Caretime Oldham, based at the Enterprise Factory in Hathershaw, after noticing a gap in the market.

It has been running for a year and supports anyone from 17 upwards.

Fatima (40) said: “We provide tailored support around individuals’ needs and promote their abilities so they can do jobs for themselves and access activities.

“We have around 18 staff, including myself and my husband.”

Fatima explained why she decided to set up such a group, adding: “I am a qualified social worker and I worked in this capacity for two years when I noticed a gap in the market for a care provider who would reflect the needs of people with disabilities.

“We have care support staff who visit people’s homes and offer them help.”

On winning the award, she said: “It is excellent because it’s a real morale booster and a sense of achievement.”




MANDY DEVINE



Mandy Devine (36), of Wildbrook Crescent, Fitton Hill, won an award for going back to school with her 12-year-old son Curtis Barrow.



She attended a Family Learning course, which ran at Hathershaw College for seven weeks.

The team leader at Park Cake Bakery, Ashton Road, Hathershaw, attended every session, clocking up an excellent attendance record.

Mandy supported her son’s learning through the course and by working alongside him in school, which has helped him tremendously.

This inspired her to go on to Oldham College to do a painting and decorating course.

She received the award for her excellent attendance and for being a shining example to others of how family learning can make a difference to a child.

Mandy said: “I really enjoyed it. I got to see how the school runs and how my child is learning.”

On winning the award, the mother-of-four added: “I was quite chuffed about it. It’s nice to be recognised.”