The Community Trust recently won two awards at the Casa Hotel at an event themed around Champions for Loneliness, organised by the BrightLife charity.
The Trust won the award for Champion Charity while Trust volunteer Luke Briddon was named Champion Young Person.
Luke helps out at the Senior Spireites exercise group every Wednesday afternoon, helping set up the room, meeting and greeting all participants and serving tea and coffee.
Commenting on his award, Luke’s mum said: “We’re immensely grateful to the Trust for giving Luke the opportunity to achieve this accolade.
“We are extremely proud of Luke and this achievement it is absolutely fantastic – we’re beyond proud.
“The evening was great and really meant a lot to our family. Thank you to BrightLife and Chesterfield FC Community Trust for all their help.”
Luke has been with the Trust for over five years now and staff members have seen a boost in his self-confidence and self-esteem.
Andrea Parkinson, who is the wellbeing manager at the Trust, told us how proud she is of Luke and his achievements.
“I saw Luke when he first came to the Trust and the improvement in his self-confidence is absolutely incredible,” she said.
“He’s gone from being unable to talk to anyone to greeting 40+ people into a room. It really is an incredible achievement and his help never goes un-noticed.
“I’m so proud of Luke, he deserves it. Everyone at the Trust is so happy for him.
“He’s such a good lad who really deserves to be recognised for all his hard work and I know that I speak for everyone when I say how proud we are of him.”
The Trust won the Champion Charity award for the work that is being delivered in helping combat loneliness.
The nominations came from participants who attend the Senior Spireites sessions.
Andrea spoke about the award and what it means for the Trust. She said: “It’s just another example of how much good work is done by the Trust.
“Winning the Champion Charity award is huge, and we’re all delighted. The Trust as a whole deserves recognition for what we do and to be nominated for two awards and win them both is incredible.
“This award means a lot; it shows what we’re all about and it shows how much hard work is being put in to help people in the local area.
“We feel privileged to be awarded this and it was a great night for all who attended.”
Programmes such as A Spire Right, Active for Life and the Cancer Support Group also help reduce loneliness.
Andrea stressed that further plans are in the pipeline to help combat this particular problem.
“Loneliness is a serious problem in the community, especially for the elderly,” she said.
“Although we’re delighted to have won this award, we won’t sit back and stop there – there’s so much more to come from us.
“We’re excited about increasing plans for the future and expansion has already begun within some of our projects.
“Winning this award is a privilege but it’s just the start – we’ve got so much more to give and so much more to tackle.
“The Trust is massive; we deliver so many different things and so many different areas and I’m so proud to be a part of that.”
The Trust is regularly looking for volunteers to help out around the HUB and assist with many of their projects.
If you’re interested in volunteering, please email: andreaparkinson@spireitestrust.org.uk or keithjackson@spireitestrust.org.uk.
There is also a phone number, if you prefer. Please call: 01246 925115.
Alternatively, you can just turn up to the HUB and ask to speak to a member of staff about volunteering.
