Amber Valley Housing’s Good Neighbour of the Year Awards have shown that community spirit is alive and well in the local area.
The housing association, which owns and manages around 5,500 homes in Alfreton, Ripley, Heanor and Belper, held the awards recently to recognise those residents who go the extra mile to help others.
Three Amber Valley Housing tenants have been commended for helping improve neighbourliness spirit in their local areas. The winners were: ·
- Rachel Stoddard from Langley Mill (for the under 25 years category)
- Maureen Hunt from Ripley (for the 25 to 60 years category)
- Tony Such from Belper (for the 60 years and older category)
Maureen was described by her neighbour Valerie Renshaw as “one in a million”. Valerie, who is disabled, explained that Maureen often helps her with her cooking and shopping and recently accompanied her to hospital, staying with her while she settled in. Meanwhile, a shared love of 60s music was among the reasons that Tony Such received a nomination.
Neighbour Angela Nolan, who nominated him, said: “When I moved to the area I didn’t know what my neighbours would be like. I love the house but meeting Tony made it even better. I prayed for a lovely neighbour and got a house next to an earth angel.”
Recent studies have shown that, contrary to popular opinion, neighbourliness is still prevalent in the UK, with neighbours offering vital emotional, financial and social support to each other. Further help includes watch and ward duties, such as keeping an eye on each other’s houses, and routine help includes babysitting and taking a neighbour’s child to school.
Sarah Whattam, community development manager at Amber Valley Housing, said: “We have had a fantastic response to our Good Neighbour of the Year competition.
“We do hear a lot about the fact that people no longer know who their neighbours are these days, but based on this evidence that’s certainly not the case in Amber Valley where residents clearly go that extra mile to help their neighbours and local community.”
European Good Neighbour’s Day is taking place on Tuesday, May 26 and Amber Valley Housing would like to hear from other tenants with stories of good neighbourliness. Please contact Sarah Whattam on 01773 573100 for more information.
