Forum honoured – by Captain Tom’s daughter
AWARD FOR TEAM WHO ARE ‘CONNECTING GENERATIONS’
A COMMUNITY centre has been recognised for its work by the daughter of the late Captain Sir Thomas Moore.
Hannah Ingram-moore announced the Netherfield Forum team as the second winner of Virgin Media O2 Captain Tom Foundation Connector Award.
Trustee Tina Simpson said the centre is “busy and thriving”.
She said that everyone at the Forum had been really surprised by the award.
“The award from Hannah was just ‘wow’ and she’s really such an inspirational lady – and so was her father.
“We got the award for the work that we’ve been doing in the community for all people.”
The award also included tech prizes worth £5,000 as well as Virgin Media O2’s Gigabit broadband service.
Next year, the Forum has more plans to reach out to the community – and young people especially.
Next month, the centre will be extended by adopting the premises of a former doctor’s surgery. Tina said: “We are quite unique.” “It’s a community centre that has been built for its purpose, years ago.
“We do exercise classes for older people, a community cafe and different activities.
“We help our community if there’s anyone in need.”
Other activities include groups for the disabled, autistic support groups, dance and singing and children’s exercise programmes.
The centre has around a dozen staff.
Speaking more about the area, Tina said: “Netherfield is born from the old railway – it’s a very closeknit and friendly commu
The award from Hannah was just ‘wow’ – and she’s really such an inspirational lady
Tina Simpson, trustee
nity.
“You would feel welcomed if you moved to the area.
“It’s quite high in deprivation with a lot of the elderly and single mums but that’s everywhere.”
During the pandemic, Tina had explained how the community had come together to look out for each other.
“We gave out over a hundred meals at the height of the pandemic and now. “It’s around 70 so our hot meals are still popular.
“A lot of people can’t afford hot meals so it’s to keep people safe and fed.
“We’ve also helped people with heating vouchers and we’re an information hub to many.
“The community reached out to us over the pandemic and we continued serving the community.
“We just started cooking and Morrisons, Carlton Road Tree Club and Fairshare helped us a lot.”
The centre was open Monday to Friday during the pandemic and staff worked bank holidays, too,
“I don’t know how we did it, but we did.
“I’m very, very lucky to work with such amazing people,” Tina said.
Hannah Ingram-moore said: “What was incredibly important to my father was the connection of the generations, so when we were looking at who would get this award, we wanted to give it to a club that was having the greatest impact and that’s what this club is doing – it’s connecting the generations and having an impact from 8 to 90.
“I think the awards that Virgin Media O2 are giving to the communities are transformative to local communities. By highlighting and rewarding them, we’re helping them to grow.”