2015 winners
Please see above for the winners of 2015 and information about why they were nominated.
Corinne Spencer - January winner
As Chair of the Gosford Park Residents' Association, Corinne has worked tirelessly to help make the area a nicer, safer, cleaner place to live. She is passionate about improving the neighbourhood and puts all her efforts into helping the whole community, and asks for no reward or recognition in return. Her satisfaction is in seeing her local community thrive and bonding together to support and encourage each other.
Corinne has demonstrated her love of the area which she has lived in for most of her life and her commitment to its future in many ways. As Chair of the GPRA, she prides herself on being proactive and dynamic and has organised and led many events and campaigns over the years which have benefitted the community.
She has been instrumental in establishing a Play Area in Stoke Green. This has been an incredible success and has made this busy part of Coventry feel like a community again. It is a focal point where families of all nationalities and backgrounds meet and enjoy themselves. She has organised litter picks, several major fundraising events, Community Fun Days, a Big Lunch, Children's Christmas Parties, produces a newsletter which keeps residents informed about developments in the area. In addition to this, she also single-handedly produces a free magazine called Doorstep News which is distributed by volunteers to 1,200 homes in the area. Corinne is also a Community Governor at Gosford Park Primary School, works with Gosford Community Hub a member of the Coventry Action for Neighbourhoods (CAN) group which works with Coventry City Council to improve our communities. Together with all of this she is a good team leader, has strong organisational skills, is caring and compassionate. She can be counted on to support and help others and is always ready with a smile and a joke. She has a positive outlook and always sees the silver linings. She is liked and well respected, not only by her community, but is also held in high regard by local agencies such as the Police, Officers at Coventry City Council, schools and businesses etc.
Corinne juggles all this with a full time job working as a property manager. Despite this, and
having many other commitments, she gives endless hours of her spare time to raise funds for the community and carries out the many voluntary activities with professionalism, humour and integrity. Residents have nicknamed her the 'Steel Orchid' and a 'Warrior'.
Corinne truly is an outstanding role model of a âGood Citizenâ.
Pat Sullivan - February winner
Pat Sullivanâs commitment to the community stretches back some 30 years. Her hard work and commitment as the Treasurer, Secretary, keyholder and General Administrator for the Village Hall in Eastern Green dates back to around 1984. She announced her intention to retire from the position â aptly described by one resident as âchief cook and bottle washerâ â last year, and it will take numerous people to replace her, as parts of her role will be undertaken by many different people! In this sense, she is literally an irreplaceable individual who has offered outstanding voluntary service to her community.
It is clear that Patâs dedication to the Village Hall and its many users has been instrumental in its continued success on a reasonably firm financial footing. The Centre is a ânot for profitâ facility run for the benefit if the community. Pat has dedicated 3 decades to the running of the centre whilst also having a full time job. Her dedication to the community is unquestionable and Patâs retirement is considered a great loss to the local community. It is therefore entirely appropriate to mark the occasion by presenting her with the Good Citizen Award in recognition of her devotion over a very prolonged period to the community.
Watch Commander Adrian Hutt - March winner
Watch Commander Hutt identified a need to roll out a national campaign regarding Carbon Monoxide Poisoning. In an effort to make communities safer he worked with John Moores University gathering data, acquiring funding and devising a training programme, all of which is above his remit as Watch Commander
He represented the local Brigade in the House of Lords several times and engaged with political bodies, Gas Safe and industry leaders with the aim of improving safety in communities whilst addressing the health inequalities within the UK. This has subsequently brought other Fire and rescue Services on board supporting their Prevention Strategies
Back in 2010, Marmot was an unknown concept, but it is now recognised within the Fire Serviceâs strategic thinking and localised application in the form of Level Three planning, working within local authority organisations and charities, improving lives to save lives.
Watch Commander Hutt has achieved recognition on both local and national levels demonstrating the collaboration between both the Fire Service and local authorities.
The actions he has taken have been instrumental in making our communities a safer place to live and work and he is therefore truly deserving of this Good Citizen Award.
Frank Beresford - June winner
Frank Beresford instigated the Neighbourhood Watch Scheme in Eastern Green over 15 years ago. During this time he has encouraged neighbours to become actively involved in improving the area and this pro-active approach to issues within the community has culminated in the reduction of anti-social behaviour.
Frank has worked with Councillors and the Police to improve the security of peopleâs homes with the use of light timers, personal alarms and window alarms. In recognition of the work he has carried out he was awarded âThe Blue Lampâ by West Midlands Police and also became a Regional Finalist in the National Neighbourhood and Home Watch Awards 2014.
Frank is a very caring and supportive neighbour and has helped many people in the past. Most notable is the intervention Frank made when a neighbour was having a heart attack. With his quick thinking he alerted Paramedics who were able to revive the gentleman. On another occasion he alerted neighbours to a lady who was an epileptic and asked them to keep a close eye on her. He provided her with a personal alarm and ensured that her fire alarm was working.
These actions together with being an active member at Ward Forums, supporting and caring for his neighbours and having pride in the environment he lives in shows why Frank is a very much respected member of his community. He embodies the qualities a community needs â kindness, selflessness and a sense of responsibility and pride. All of these attributes demonstrate the reason why Frank is awarded the Good Citizen Award.
Mandie Watson - July winner
Mandie worked in the city for 29 years, first in Housing and then in Community Safety. She has been committed to social justice and creating safer communities. Mandie was never frightened to challenge offenders and make sure victims had the support they needed. She encouraged a range of agencies to work together to find innovative solutions to problems. She was committed to partnership working to ensure people recognised each other's roles and strengths thus together making Coventry a safer city. Mandie has worked on the front line which inspired her passion to work strategically.
One particular area of the city has benefitted from Mandieâs tenacity and enthusiasm. She has ensured that the communityâs voice was heard and has liaised with the relevant agencies. This has resulted in a decline in Anti-Social Behaviour, drug use and has seen evictions of some of those responsible. The community feel that Mandie has added to their quality of life by making their area a safer and better place to live. She has given outstanding service above and beyond her role.
Mandieâs hard work and dedication have made a difference to local people and made Coventry a safer and more pleasant place to live. She is an excellent role model of a Good Citizen Award winner.
Cornell 'Barney' Barnes - September winner
Cornell ‘Barney’ Barnes is well known around Coventry as a ‘beat bobby’ having worked in the Hillfields area of the city since 1990. Barney is well-respected by both his peers and members of the public, having seen many people he has arrested turn their lives around.
When not on duty Barney is the Musical Director of the West Midlands Police Band. The band plays at many social events around the city and in particular have played at charity functions free of charge. He also conducts the Warwickshire Band of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, the members of which are now civilians and they play at the Army Benevolent Fund Summer Reception giving their time to this charity.
Barney has spent over 25 years working in the community, helping the citizens of Coventry and giving his time freely for the entertainment and benefit of others. His actions truly merit this Good Citizen Award.
John Tierney JP - October winner
John was involved with Foleshill Community Centre for over 50 years. He joined the centre as a boy to be with his friends and to enjoy the many activities which took place there. He then became an active volunteer eventually taking on the role of Centre Manager.
John's contribution as Centre Manager in making the centre a popular and convivial meeting and learning place for the local community was invaluable. He has truly embraced the community spirit by providing a centre to learn, take part in an activity or meet with friends. He has welcomed the people from the local community and helped them to thrive both socially and educationally.
This Good Citizen Award is in recognition of John's long and distinguished service to the Foleshill community.
Carol and Neil Wilkinson - December winners
Carol and Neil Wilkinson have been Foster Carers for almost 40 years. During this time they have cared for approximately 100 children, of varying ages, offering short-term, long-term, emergency and respite care.
Carol has also been called upon to use her nursing skills for a child with a life limiting illness.
Carol and Neil are always willing to go ‘the extra mile’ and they work collaboratively with all the health professionals in Coventry City Council.
The whole family participate in various Council events and ensure that they provide a stable and safe environment for the children they care for.
Carol and Neil nurture and care for young people who would otherwise have a very poor start in life. They are an inspiration to us all and without doubt deserve the accolade of ‘Good Citizens’.
