Norwood pays tribute to its unsung heroes
▶ NORWOOD’S ARMY of unpaid helpers had their night in the spotlight as the charity held its Volunteer Recognition Awards.
The judging panel, chaired by Norwood trustee Rachael Davis-Stoller, had been inundated with nominations, a reflection of the return to in-person volunteering following the pandemic.
Presenters included the Mayor of Barnet, Councillor Alison Moore, who announced that the unsung hero accolade — for those “who have truly gone above and beyond in their volunteering efforts” — would be shared. The winners were Lesley de Meza, a long-time Norwood charity shop volunteer, and Sharon Bernstein, who provides office support.
Introducing the award for young people, former MP Luciana Berger recalled her own teenage volunteering for Norwood at its Kennedy Leigh Centre, which she said had enabled her to make lifelong connections with fellow volunteers and service users.
The award went to pupils from The Hall School in Hampstead, who raised a significant sum to finance their voluntary efforts to rejuvenate the gardens of two Norwood residences, having previously participated in
Norwood-developed workshops on learning disabilities.
Belmont United Synagogue was recognised for promoting inclusivity, having inspired the judges with efforts to integrate residents from local Norwood homes into the shul community.
On that topic, Jewish Leadership
Council co-CEO Michelle Janes stressed the importance of making those Norwood supports “feel valued, live with dignity and feel part of the community in whatever way suits them”.
Rafi Herman, Jacob Lauder and Harry Drydon received the Young Norwood fundraising award. The cousins — whose relative Zachary is supported by Norwood — ran the London Marathon last year.
The main fundraising award went jointly to Simon Cope-Thompson, Steven Chait and Nicki Treffers, who completed the charity’s recent Botswana cycle challenge, covering 570 kilometres in five days alongside people supported by Norwood, generating £255,000 in collective sponsorship.
Presenting the award — and congratulating the other winners — Norwood co-president Lord Jon Mendelsohn said charity was “not simply about how much money people give but also about the energy, enthusiasm and time that goes into volunteering”.
The Lady J award, in memory of Lady Amelie Jakobovits, went to fundraising volunteer Laurence Bowman and the Kennedy Leigh administration team of Sophie Goligorsky, Talia Aziz and Michele Goligorsky. Lady Jakobovits’s daughter, Aviva Adler, handed over the prize.
Mark Lee — former Norwood joint treasurer and longtime committee member — took the ambassadors’ award, with special recognition for Howard Kayman for helping to sustain the success of the Norwood Challenges fundraisers.
In her first speech as chief executive, Naomi Dickson told the winners and nominees: “We can’t thank you enough for everything that you do for Norwood.”
Outlining her hopes for the charity, she added: “I hope we can continue to develop the strong connections that have been built through your amazing work.”
It’s important to make those supported feel valued and live with dignity
I hope we can continue to develop these strong connections