Carer of the Year 2017 Finalists – Dave and Lynda Gomersall

Dave and Lynda Gomersall have made it to the final three for the Carer of the Year Lynda and Dave Gomersall have been nominated by their son Scott for the care they have provided him after he returned home from hospital in 2014.

In 2013, Scott, who at the time owned his own business, SDG Accountants in Barrow,  suffered a Subarachnoid Haemorrhage suddenly while at work.  He was rushed to Furness General and from there, thanks to the speed of the doctors and the team he was transferred to Preston Neurological Rehabilitation Unit.   That night doctors told Lynda and Dave Gomersall that their son was unlikely to make it through the night and it was best to say their goodbyes while they still could.lba17_carer_dave-and-lynda-gomersall-resize-for-blog

Against all odds Scott survived the night and finally regained conscious after being in a coma for 3 weeks.  Scott went on to spend the next 10 months in Preston NRU working tirelessly with the team there to recover.  Scotts Father, Dave, continues to work even though he was due to retire and Scott’s mum, Lynda stayed in Preston in a special unit for relatives, then rented a room in Preston to be able to attend hospital every day.  With sheer determination and hard work alongside the dedication of his parents, Scott  learned to do many things again that we all take for granted such as learning to sit, up, chew food and finally having to learn to walk again.

Scott was then released home, where he moved back in with his parents, who have adapted parts of their home to accommodate Scott and his continuing rehabilitation.  Dave has continued to work to help support Scott and the family while Lynda helps take care of Scott throughout the day as well as looking after her own mother who recently suffered a stroke and suffers from Dementia.

Scott says of his parents “Without the time and support from my parents I don’t know where I would be today but I’m sure I would not have achieved what I have to date”

Scott defied the odds and thanks to the continued support and love of Lynda and Dave, has been able to start to get back to normal and start to contribute in small ways within the community by volunteering with the Love Barrow Awards, which previously he had sponsored the Young Citizen category with his business SDG Accountants.

TO VOTE FOR DAVE & LYNDA IN THE PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD  

TEXT  LBA13 to 82055

Peoples Choice Award Sponsor

With thanks to Blake Henderson Ltd for sponsoring this award

Each text vote costs your normal network text message charge.

One free vote may be made online by visiting www.lovebarrowawards.co.uk/peopleschoice

Voting closes at 6.00pm on the Sunday 19th February 2017. Any votes received after then may be charged but will not be counted.

The winner will be announced at The Love Barrow Awards on Friday 10th March 2017 and will be announced via Facebook and Twitter also.


Citizen of the Year 2017 Finalists – Gill Grisedale

Gill Grisedale has been nominated for the endless groups and projects she has set up, run and supported in her role at St Marks Church.

Gill Grisedale is the Community Pastor at St Marks Chruch in Barrow-in-Furness.

Through her role she has provided groups and services that people in her community have express a need for.  Gill is never sat still going in and around the community, always compiling lists of available help and resources. Never has one person started so many different and diverse groups and is also heavily involved in making sure they are sustainable . From babies through to the elderly no one is unreachable and all can be helped or indeed help.lba17_citz_gillian-grisedale_resize-for-blog

St Marks has a fully functioning clothes bank, there is a free lunch provided on Monday, craft group and a toddlers group, social groups, youth clubs, youth cafe, free hugs and a caring word.  Gill does all this as well as being a mum and foster parent, wife and recently becoming a hedgehog adoption centre, there is nothing this woman will do to help everyone.

Gill also works with homeless people, has an emergency food cache for those in need.  On one Christmas Eve, a young woman with children had escaped from an abusive partner and was given emergency accommodation so Gill and her family stepped in to help buy electricity and gas coupons, she went to the shops and bought a few clothes toiletries and then a few presents for the children’s christmas presents to make sure that family had a Christmas Day. 

The funding for Gill’s post ends later this year ( 2016 ) and there is little prospect of it being renewed but Gill has made some ripples in the sea of deprivation about us and has asked that her congregation and the wider community continue to do the same and continue with the good work. 

Her friends and colleagues say “You are trapped in a web of love and care when you meet Gill, she makes a difference to everyone she meets and is humble in all she does. An amazing lady with an amazing heart.”

TO VOTE FOR GILL IN THE PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD  

TEXT  LBA22 to 82055

Peoples Choice Award Sponsor

With thanks to Blake Henderson Ltd for sponsoring this award

Each text vote costs your normal network text message charge.

One free vote may be made online by visiting www.lovebarrowawards.co.uk/peopleschoice

Voting closes at 6.00pm on the Sunday 19th February 2017. Any votes received after then may be charged but will not be counted.

The winner will be announced at The Love Barrow Awards on Friday 10th March 2017 and will be announced via Facebook and Twitter also.

 

 


Group Or Project of the Year 2017 Finalist – Women’s Community Matters

Women’s Community Matters have made it into the finals for the constant support, advice and guidance they provide to women at their centre in Barrow.

Women’s Community Matters was established in 2014 as a centre for women in the area to get access to help support and guidance in all aspects of life.

Based in Duke Street in Barrow-in-Furness, the core team of Women’s Community Matters live and breathe the philosophy that Every Woman Matters.  The team are made up of real women, who understand the pressures, the challenges and the successes that women face on a daily basis and are supported by volunteers and a wide variety of other organisations and business throughout the area.

Women’s Community Matters help to make a  positive difference to the lives of women in the Barrow area. They help in all ways providing resources to women in crisis and those who are vulnerable and at risk and provide a friendly, safe centre where you can simply pop in for a cup of tea and a piece of cake!

It doesn’t matter about your age or background, the centre welcomes all women aged 16+.

They run Drop in sessions,  activities and courses where women can learn and grow and have their own clothes bank.

The team strive to create an atmosphere of empowerment and self-development, removing obstacles and dealing with issues together.  A lot of the women who benefit from the centre go on to help and  participate in the day to day running as volunteers, trustees and members.

One of their ladies has said “I don’t know where I would be without them, they were their for me when I didn’t feel I had anywhere else to go, now I am helping others in their journey”

TO VOTE FOR WCM IN THE PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD  

TEXT  LBA21 to 82055

Peoples Choice Award Sponsor

With thanks to Blake Henderson Ltd for sponsoring this award

Each text vote costs your normal network text message charge.

One free vote may be made online by visiting www.lovebarrowawards.co.uk/peopleschoice

Voting closes at 6.00pm on the Sunday 19th February 2017. Any votes received after then may be charged but will not be counted.

The winner will be announced at The Love Barrow Awards on Friday 10th March 2017 and will be announced via Facebook and Twitter also.

 


Trainee or Apprentice of the Year 2017 Finalist – Adam Ellis

Adam Ellis has made it to the final three for the dedication and tireless and endless effort he gives and shows the Army Cadets Force in Barrow.

Adam Ellis is 17 years old,  is a dedicated member of the Barrow Detachment, Cumbria Army Cadet Force. He parades twice a week without fail, regularly deploys on strenuous weekend exercises and attends intense national training courses lasting up to seven days. It is through his passion and commitment he has achieved the highest rank every cadet aspires to achieve,

Adam is regularly relied upon to instruct and coach large numbers of cadets in military subjects including, drill, weapon handling and map reading and on a normal parade night at Barrow Detachment he puts all his training and experience to use and instructs other cadets to an exceptional level. The depth of knowledge and his ability to communicate it along with his approachable personality and excellent bearing allows him to deliver l ” class lessons that even regular soldiers would been grossed in.

Due to all of Adams effolba17_trainee_adam-ellis-resize-for-blogrts, he was selected as the best cadet from them all to become the Lord-Lieutenants Cadet. This is a high profile appointment which is selected from the Army Cadet Force, the Sea Cadet Corps, the Air Training Corps and the Combined Cadet Force, all from within Cumbria. These extra duties require Adam to assist the Lord-Lieutenant with VIP visits and parades around the county. He also acts as an ambassador for all the cadet organisations and all the young people of the county.  This appointment is recognised as one of the  highest honours a cadet can achieve.

 

Adam has successfull y captained many teams to success in the Army Cadet Force and has lead teams to victory in Cumbria ACF Military Skills competitions, an intense weekend where a team of 8 cadets put their training and skills to the test against other teams from around the county in navigation, first aid, attacks, shooting, camouflage and drill.  Adam represents the county in shooting  and has competed and won in various national and regional shooting  competitions.

Over the years Adam has selflessly helped raise much needed funds for the Royal British Legion, selling poppies.

Adam is currently completing his STEC first Diploma in Public Services and his silver Duke of Edinburgh award with the ACF, highlighting his devotion and commitment once again. He has completed his Senior Cadet Instructors Cadre, Cadet Leadership Course and most recently his Master Cadet course, being placed inside the top 2 in all courses.  Adam is also studying maths, physics and Law A levels and completed geography AS Level at Barrow 6th Form College.

The Barrow Detachment say “Adams loyalty and commitment to Cumbria Army Cadet Force and Barrow Detachment is second to none. Through his actions as a cadet he encourages and leads other cadets to carry out their duty as a cadet correctly and without question.”

TO VOTE FOR ADAM IN THE PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD  

TEXT  LBA5 to 82055

Peoples Choice Award Sponsor

With thanks to Blake Henderson Ltd for sponsoring this award

Each text vote costs your normal network text message charge.

One free vote may be made online by visiting www.lovebarrowawards.co.uk/peopleschoice

Voting closes at 6.00pm on the Sunday 19th February 2017. Any votes received after then may be charged but will not be counted.

The winner will be announced at The Love Barrow Awards on Friday 10th March 2017 and will be announced via Facebook and Twitter also.

 


Trainee of Apprentice of the Year 2017 Finalist – Claire Austin

Claire Austin has been put through to the final three because of her outstanding contribution to the Women’s Community Matters Center, Barrow while on her placement for her master in Social Work.

Claire Austin is a Student Social Worker currently completing her Masters in Social Work at Lancaster University. She has just entered her 2nd year. She was on placement at Women’s Community Matters for 4-months in early 2016 and the centre says, excelled in everything she did.

Claire has delivered group work sessions at the centre, even though it was something she was brand new to, the content of her sessions were accessible, engaging and interesting. She has the ability to engage with people on their level and had a positive impact on the lives of so many people. She worked in courses and on one-to-one with women who have a whole range of lived experience lba17_trainee_claire-austin-esize-for-blogincluding mental health issues, criminality, addiction, sexual abuse, domestic abuse and much more.

The centre has said that Claire has a deep level of intuition, which enabled her to work effectively with clients in a kind, compassionate and empathic way. She was extremely creative and used her talents to make her work with clients exciting and interesting, relating it to their particular needs. She used all those skills at Women’s Community Matters as well as ” House.

Claire continues to volunteer at the Women’s COmmunity Matters Centre weekly offering 1:1 support to clients. Claire also works at Ostley House in Barrow as a manager and is extremely passionate about her work with older adults.

 

Women’s Community Matters says “Claire is kind, compassionate, creative and intuitive. She’s passionate about becoming a social worker who will make a difference to people’s lives. She is continuously putting other people at the forefront of her mind and her reflective skills allow her to continuously grow and develop as a social worker. She has a deeply empathic nature and her kindness knows no bounds.”

TO VOTE FOR CLAIRE IN THE PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD  

TEXT  LBA4 to 82055

Peoples Choice Award Sponsor

With thanks to Blake Henderson Ltd for sponsoring this award

Each text vote costs your normal network text message charge.

One free vote may be made online by visiting www.lovebarrowawards.co.uk/peopleschoice

Voting closes at 6.00pm on the Sunday 19th February 2017. Any votes received after then may be charged but will not be counted.

The winner will be announced at The Love Barrow Awards on Friday 10th March 2017 and will be announced via Facebook and Twitter also.

 


Trainee or Apprentice of the Year 2017 Finalist – Joshua Ashley

Joshua Ashley has made it to the final three in his category after being an exemplary apprentice during his time with BAE Systems, Barrow and using that time to help BAE Systems reach out to the younger community about STEM subjects.

Joshua Ashley completed his apprenticeship in March 2016 with BAE Systems.  During that time he became a highly skilled and respected young member of the design function team but throughout his apprenticeship and on an ongoing basis he has added wider value to the business and to the local community.

lba17_trainee_joshua-ashley-esize-for-blogDuring his apprenticeship, Joshua, helped with STEM events via BAE offering mock interviews to school pupils who are interested in apprenticeships. He was keen to show that this route into work is a positive and valuable one in terms of opportunities for development.

He has worked to support the Barrow and District Association of Engineers and has been elected onto its council as a result. This aims to promote engineering locally and undertakes work to promote interest in STEM careers to pupils.

Joshua was also nominated for the NSAN Manufacturing Apprentice of the Year award due to the contribution he made to the local community and to the essential promotion of STEM subjects. This also recognises his superb achievements in his role which culminated in him being awarded a prestigious Whitworth scholarship in Westminster.

Josh is described as extremely modest even though he has achieved exceptional success during his apprenticeship.

His current employers, BAE Systems say “Josh is a delightful young man and a wonderful ambassador for apprenticeships, engineering and BAE.”

TO VOTE FOR JOSHUA IN THE PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD  

TEXT  LBA6 to 82055

Peoples Choice Award Sponsor

With thanks to Blake Henderson Ltd for sponsoring this award

Each text vote costs your normal network text message charge.

One free vote may be made online by visiting www.lovebarrowawards.co.uk/peopleschoice

Voting closes at 6.00pm on the Sunday 19th February 2017. Any votes received after then may be charged but will not be counted.

The winner will be announced at The Love Barrow Awards on Friday 10th March 2017 and will be announced via Facebook and Twitter also.

 


Community Focused Business of the Year 2017 Finalist – Deemon Performance Academy

Deemon Performance Academy have made it to the final three for being a huge part of the local community and providing a fun and safe environment for young people to learn and older generations to be part of something in their community.

Deemon Performance Academy, run by Emma McMillan and her team, are based in Barrow-in-Furness, have a been a part of the community for several years, providing a safe and fun place for young people of all backgrounds and abilities to come and experience the joy of performance through signing, acting and dance but more than that they are a family to the local children and their families, who can turn to Deemon in tough times for support, advice and help or just pop along and enjoy the company and have a cup of tea.

The Deemon team encourage the young performers to be all that they can, and although they are there to learn dance, signing and acting skills, they go away with life skills such as confidence, lba17_cfb_deemon-performance-academy_-ailsa_emma_katie-resize-for-blogcourage and a feeling of self worth.  Every child that leaves Deemon, believes in them self.

Deemon make sure that several places are reserved for people who are unable to send their child to a performance academy, making it possible for these opportunities to be available to any child.

The students of the academy, work hard to create the shows, which help them raise money which gets put back into the local community through charitable donations to local groups and projects such as the RNLI.

Emma McMillan, Head of Deemon says “…Every child is special to us, we try to make sure we can always give the free places away… It’s hard work but it’s always worth it when you see what a difference our young people can make in their communities and families, when they leave us with confidence and a sense of self-worth.” 

 

TO VOTE FOR DEEMON IN THE PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD  

TEXT  LBA8 to 82055

Peoples Choice Award Sponsor

With thanks to Blake Henderson Ltd for sponsoring this award

Each text vote costs your normal network text message charge.

One free vote may be made online by visiting www.lovebarrowawards.co.uk/peopleschoice

Voting closes at 6.00pm on the Sunday 19th February 2017. Any votes received after then may be charged but will not be counted.

The winner will be announced at The Love Barrow Awards on Friday 10th March 2017 and will be announced via Facebook and Twitter also.


Community Focused Business of the Year 2017 Finalist – Imagine Independance

lba17_cfb_imagine-independence_lorraine-buckley-resize-for-blogImagine Independence has made it into the finals for the great work they do with people who are disabled and are seeking voluntary work, work experience or even paid employment.

Imagine Independance is a charity with a positive approach to mental health and works to promote opportunities for people to live a full and independent life. The team work together with people with mental health issues and other challenges so they can live a full and independent life.

Lorraine Buckley is Cumbria Employment Advisor for the Barrow area.  Many of the people she engages with have lots that they can contribute to their community and so she works with them to help them have secure good housing, employment, fulfilling leisure activities, good health and a respected place in society.  The service is tailored to each client and makes a huge difference in their lives and in some cases turned round the lives of people with no confidence, mental illnesses and disabilities.

Imagine Independence helps to support other local services including Barrow Adult Social Services, Barrow CMHT, Imagine Clients, Employment/Voluntary work Providers and Local Further Education Services.

One of the services users has says “The service has changed my life and I am now a confident individual with prospects that once I thought I’d never have.”

 

 

TO VOTE FOR IMAGINE INDEPENDENCE IN THE PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD  

TEXT  LBA9 to 82055

Peoples Choice Award Sponsor

With thanks to Blake Henderson Ltd for sponsoring this award

Each text vote costs your normal network text message charge.

One free vote may be made online by visiting www.lovebarrowawards.co.uk/peopleschoice

Voting closes at 6.00pm on the Sunday 19th February 2017. Any votes received after then may be charged but will not be counted.

The winner will be announced at The Love Barrow Awards on Friday 10th March 2017 and will be announced via Facebook and Twitter also.


Community Focused Business of the Year 2017 Finalist – Lake District Farmers

Lake District Farmers have been made it to the finals for the generosity of the team in their donations to local charities and their continue efforts to fundraise in the local area.

Lake District Farmers supply premium quality, breed specific meat products, direct to fine dining establishments throughout the UK, providing customers with the full supply chain history, whilst supporting the Farmers and their local community within the Lake District and surrounding areas.

lba17_cfb_lake-district-farmers_dan-austin-resize-for-blogThe company is run with a team that includes Daniel Austin.  The team at Lake District Farmers decided that they would like to make sure they gave back to the communities that they live, work and raise their families in and in memory of the founder of the company, set up the Ray Armstrong Foundation.  So, every month the company donates money to a chosen local charity in the area. The charities and people are suggested by the staff and then with the whole team together, they decide on who will benefit that month.  Daniel says “…it is a difficult meeting as there are so many great deserving charities, groups and people out there, some of the stories have me and the team in tears…”

Despite having their own setbacks over the past few years, of fires and landslides destroying the premises, the spirit of the team has never wavered and they just get up and give it another go, making sure that the business thrives so it can continue to make a difference in so many local people’s lives.

As well as the donations, the team are always looking after people who need help and will individually fundraise for the Ray Armstrong charity so that local people can benefit.  Although the team are very busy with the business, they are never too busy to help including one year where Daniel dressed up as a Santa Elf and gave chocolates to the residents at Ostely house.

People who have benefited from the kindness of Daniel and his team say “Dan and the team are just brilliant, their donation made such a huge difference to my sons life, its so nice to see him smile when he plays on the play area that was provided for us by Dan and his team, an amazing company and amazing people. “

TO VOTE FOR LAKE DISTRICT FARMERS IN THE PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD  

TEXT  LBA7 to 82055

Peoples Choice Award Sponsor

With thanks to Blake Henderson Ltd for sponsoring this award

Each text vote costs your normal network text message charge.

One free vote may be made online by visiting www.lovebarrowawards.co.uk/peopleschoice

Voting closes at 6.00pm on the Sunday 19th February 2017. Any votes received after then may be charged but will not be counted.

The winner will be announced at The Love Barrow Awards on Friday 10th March 2017 and will be announced via Facebook and Twitter also.


Teacher of the Year 2017 Finalist – Laura Godbold

Laura Godbold of Laurus Consultancy has made it to the final three in the teacher category for helping under privilege children in the furness area who are struggling in school and education and also helping children with special needs who are deemed as “unteachable”.

Laura Godbold decided to set up her own consultancy to work with children and young people who may be experiencing issues at home, learning difficulties and those that don’t fit into the mould of mainstream education. She helps autistic and vulnerable children and always succeeds in getting them through exams and other difficult times as well as helping children and teenagers with confidence issues and self-belief.

Laura has helped her students gain confidence and independence and helped them work towards qualifications.  She works with young people with severe dyslexia and all the parents havelba17_teacher_laura-godbold-resize-for-blog commented on the difference that she has made to their children’s life.

Laura will go above and beyond just teaching to be able to work with her students.  What makes her different is that she places no focus on learning difficulties, special needs or barriers she will just push and get her students to be the best they can be, the change in her students is incredible.

She is an advocate for young people experiencing domestic violence and runs free anti bullying workshops around Cumbria, to raise awareness and so young people can come for advice. She also has been raising money for De Paul Nightstop for homeless teens and is developing confidence courses for younger children and teenagers,

Her students parents say “There is no limit to how far laura will go to get the best out of each individual including supporting charities/organising charity events and the hours she puts in to her teaching.”

 

 

TO VOTE FOR LAURA IN THE PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD  

TEXT  LBA12 to 82055

Peoples Choice Award Sponsor

With thanks to Blake Henderson Ltd for sponsoring this award

Each text vote costs your normal network text message charge.

One free vote may be made online by visiting www.lovebarrowawards.co.uk/peopleschoice

Voting closes at 6.00pm on the Sunday 19th February 2017. Any votes received after then may be charged but will not be counted.

The winner will be announced at The Love Barrow Awards on Friday 10th March 2017 and will be announced via Facebook and Twitter also.