international day of older persons..

2011 IDOP Awards Winners

                             
Jack Anderson Award for contribution to the community

Winner: Tom Mooney

Tom was nominated by Liz Webber, Leeds Irish Health and Homes. This is what Liz had to say about him;

 “Tom is a friendly, energetic, positive, supportive and empathetic person. He has lived at Greenwell Court for 8 years. His neighbours love and respect him. Tom has helped people by: going shopping for neighbours, phoning about repairs on behalf of neighbours, cleaning neighbours cars, visiting friends and neighbours in hospital, clearing paths in snowy conditions (the list goes on!).

Tom is 74 years of age and still works all over the country as a crane and excavator driver. He is a fabulous person. A friend to all. That’s why I have nominated him.”

Runner-up: Rose Evans

Rose was nominated by Kim Johnson, Headingley Development Trust. Here is what Kim had to say about Rose;

“When we heard about this award to decision was unanimous to nominate Rose. Rose is one of the best known residents in Headlingley and I wouldn’t be surprised if it takes her a long time to pop out for a pint of milk because she gets stopped by everyone she knows. Her energy and enthusiam for helping others is unlimited. For decades Rose has volunteered her time to provide low cost tea and coffee to the residents of Headlingley, they come not just for a sit down in a warm room – they come for help, support and someone to chat to. If Rose wasn’t here I don’t know if the Community Café would continue for any length of time – Rose gives stability and leadership, finding a solution to any problem. She supports older people in Headlingley despite being 87 herself.”

Runners-up: Barbara and Ken Salter

Barbara and Ken were nominated by Cllr Lucinda Yeadon. Here’s what she had to say about them:

“Barbara has devoted a massive part of her life to helping her local community in Hawksworth Wood. This started when she was a child. Barbara’s work at the community centre and with HOPS (and its predecessor) has helped improve the lives of countless older people in the area. The events she organised made an invaluable contribution to the everyday lives of older people in the area, enabling them to build and maintain friendships and maintain their independence.

Ken is Barbara’s rock, helping her throughout her work in the community. More recently, Ken has made his own hugely significant contribution towards improving the lives of older people in the area, by establishing a computer suite for them at the community centre. This has opened the door for the area’s older people to become “Silver Surfers” and access the World Wide Web. As well as obtaining the equipment, Ken also provided training so that the area’s older people could do their shopping online, download music (legally of course), research family histories, carry out household transactions, the list goes on.

Barbara and Ken’s contribution to improving the lives of older people in Hawksworth Wood for the best part of two decades has been nothing short of phenomenal, and fully deserves to be recognised through this award.”

Gladys Roberts Award for achievements in lifelong learning

Winner: Wilfred Woodhouse

Wilfred has always enjoyed using computers and went to Park Lane College for 2 ½ years to give him a good grounding in the field. He uses computers to pursue his interest in photography, to access googlemaps, for shopping, for craft CD ROMS to make paper cards with his wife and to communicate through email and Facebook, especially with his son who lives in Australia. Wilfred likes that computers present a constant new challenge as they are always changing. He uses his skills to teach older people at Holbeck Elderly Aid’s, Older Active Peoples Group and says that it gives him great pleasure to transfer his skills and knowledge. This often involves helping people overcome their fear of computers.

Wilfred was nominated by Jenny Armstrong of Holbeck Elderly Aid. Jenny says; “I have know Wilf since I started at Holbeck Elderly Aid, he was very keen to help me start a computer group to help our service users learn the basic skills of using a computer. Wilf co-teaches computer sessions twice a week. The people who have attended the sessions have found them very useful and regularly come back, the feedback has been very positive.”

Runner-up: Anne Veitch

Anne was looking forward to retirement but soon became down in the dumps. At a routine visit to her GP she discussed with him how she was feeling, she became determined to make a new life for herself. A few days later she saw a small article about Age UK Leeds and plucked up the courage to go. From that day on, she says, her life changed. She has met so many new people and particularly enjoys the challenge of match days. Anne volunteers for the cook and eat programme and has been on training to help her in this role. Attendees tell her how much they enjoy it, making it so rewarding.

Anne was nominated by Eve Fayle at Age UK Leeds. Eve says about Anne; “Anne first came to Age UK’s Wii club, since she joined I have watched her grow in confidence and she oozes enthusiasm to support and encourage other members. She has completed a range of training sessions and volunteers for ‘Fit as a Fiddle’ but her involvement doesn’t stop there, she is taking on yet more new challenges and will be volunteering for a new Age UK Leeds project on Dementia and memory loss called ‘Wild about Plants’. “
www.ageukleeds.org.uk

Runner-up: Tak Yung

Tak says that learning has had its challenges but that there is no age barrier to learning. Improving your knowledge increases your knowledge and self-esteem. He has attended mental health classes because he wants to learn how to support people who suffer with depression.

Tak was nominated by Mr Y Poon, Chairman of Wah Kwong Chinese Association. Here’s what he has to say about Tak; “He has never stopped learning since he arrived in the UK, he had very little English and used a dictionary, newspaper and the TV to improve his speaking and listening. His learning helped him to open his own business. Tak has used his skills to help others who don’t understand English, he supports members who suffer with depression, he works with children at the Leeds Chinese Community School to help them learn about their culture, he also informs members about the impact of diet on their health. Even though Tak was diagnosed with cancer this has not stopped him supporting the community