Tenant Celebration Awards 2024

The Good Neighbour award was for someone who goes out of their way to help and support their neighbours.

Winners:

Susan Smith

Susan has been running the community house for several years now and she plays a vital role in the community as she is the "go to" person for people and nothing is too much trouble. She is renowned for putting events on for the children in the community and arranging bus trips to the seaside for the families.

Sue always puts others before herself and will do anything for anyone. 

Donna Jones

Every day Donna thinks ‘How can i improve my community?’ and every day she puts that into action.

She has run free community events for residents and handed out food parcels to those in need. She has also helped get warm home equipment such as blankets, hats and heaters to those who need it and participated in multiple litter picks and community clean up events.

Runners-up:

Janet and Roy Davis

The person nominating Janet and Roy told us: “They go above and beyond for me and my children. They are always there when you need them, so lovely and polite. Janet and Roy never ask for help as they always like helping others and I couldn’t ask for better neighbours. They definitely deserve this.”

Linda Hall

Linda runs the community centre at Balby West TARA. She really goes above and beyond to help people who come into the centre. Linda also spent many years supporting and representing local community groups through her role on the Standing Joint Committee of the Doncaster Federation of Tenants’ and Residents’ Associations.

She's always at the centre helping people whenever they need it.

Sue Dunning

Sue helps everyone and will do anything for anybody. She is a sounding board for all who attend Barnby Dun Tara, and her neighbours as a whole.

She will go above and beyond for anyone she meets, and greets them with a smile and a cheeky personality. Sue is a joy to be around and can lighten any mood. Sue helps everyone and is a friend to all who speak with her.

The Heart of the Community award was for a community group that works to improve their area for the good of all tenants and residents.

Winner:

Toll Bar TARA

The volunteers at Toll Bar TARA work tirelessly for the good of the community, especially the young children of the Manor Estate, many of whom live in poverty.

They give up tremendous amounts of their time to provide activities every week and welcome anyone through their door.

They have a hugely positive impact on the village and have made a difference in a vast number of peoples’ lives.

Runners-up:

Upbeat

Upbeat support people to improve their own mental health by offering activities to help them manage, alongside an allotment and regular group outings. There are some amazing success stories from this group of people.

Trish is an amazing tenant and has made a difference to the life of so many people. Upbeat shows people that someone really does care, and residents have made friends with other local people through the group.

Circuit House craft sessions

This is a very welcoming group who invite people of any age or ability to come and share their knowledge of knitting, crochet and beading.

They look after each other and the group make some wonderful items for the local special care baby unit – as well as their seasonal post box toppers which go on display near the local shops and always get a warm reception from local people.

The Community Warrior award was for someone who supports tenants and residents through the cost-of-living challenges to improve their quality of life.

Winner:

Trish Hendley

Trish has run the Upbeat mental health group for four years – tirelessly supporting every member through relationships, job losses, addictions and different types of crisis. She organises events, fun runs, fun evenings out and even a seaside day via minibus.

Upbeat has provided somewhere to be with friends who have the experience to support you. It’s just incredible the impact it has on the people in the area.

Runners-up:

Sheila Wilson

Sheila has never stopped giving back to her community through her coffee mornings at Peacehaven Communal Hall. Over the years, the coffee group have raised over £40,000 to support local charities.

Sheila is a wonderful lady who has helped so much in relieving social isolation, encouraging new members, giving them confidence and a safe place to come and socialise.

Helen Mahon

Helen works tirelessly on supporting the people in her community and nothing is too much trouble for her. She listens to their problems and helps where she can. She arranges trips out, brunches, entertainment, holidays as well as bingo/dominoes at the Whinfell Communal Hall.

She helps improve the community, brings people together and makes a big difference.

The Community Wellbeing Project award was for a group that provides tenants and residents with a space to promote physical, emotional or social wellbeing.

Winner:

Adventuring Angels

This group set up a forest school which supports communities by promoting healthy activities and giving people the confidence to use the local environment. People of all ages get involved and take part in the outdoor cooking workshops and countless more engagement events they offer for the community. 

Runners-up:

Woodlands Growing Group

This group plant and tend to fruit and vegetables in the grounds of Circuit House Communal Hall in Woodlands. They offer their produce free of charge to anyone in need, they often donate the food to local residents and users of the communal hall. 

Healthy Her

HealthyHer offers programs and activities focusing on empowerment, health and well-being for Muslim women of all ages. This includes sports and physical activities, social groups, trips and outings. They aim to support and create opportunities for unrepresented communities to help them connect and grow.

The Cleaner Communities award was for a group that works to support a cleaner and tidier community, looking after our green spaces and making them places to be proud of.

Winner:

Robert Starr

The person nominating Robert told us: “Robert goes above and beyond in keeping the community of Denaby clean and beautiful by regularly picking up litter in the area. 

"He also volunteers at the community pantry, helping to provide food and support for those in need. His dedication to both keeping our streets clean and helping less fortunate truly sets him apart as a shining example of a community-minded individual."

Runners-up:

Robert Squires

Robert takes the time to clean the streets outside the local school where he went as a young lad. His daughter said: “I also went to the same school and now his granddaughter does. He does this all on his own and the public always say ‘thank you’, but he deserves to be recognised for the hard work he does. He’s now retired from work after working all his life."

Friends of the Crags

This group look after The Crags, which are a huge green space. They do litter picking to clean the area up and make it safe. They also arrange wildlife walks, historical talks and even archaeology. Friends of the Crags make our green space even more inviting so we can all use it.

Edenthorpe & Kirk Sandal Litter Pickers

Jan and the Edenthorpe Litter Pickers are a fantastic group and really make a difference for the areas.

They don’t just litter-pick, but they weed and really tidy up communal spaces. This is all voluntary work and they are really making a positive impact. They go above and beyond to improve the areas and hopefully encourage people to take real pride in their homes and the areas they live.

The Newcomer of the Year award was for someone who started getting involved in their community within the last two years and has helped to make a real difference.

Winner:

Steve’s Support Group

This group offers support to people affected by cancer. It has an informal and welcoming approach, where members can share their experiences, information, and general ways of coping that they have found with one another.

The fact that the group is predominately male is also notable, as it challenges traditional gender norms and provides a much-needed support system for men living with and recovering from cancer.

Runners-up:

Askern Taekwondo

Simon is a registered Taekwondo instructor who provides training to young adults free of charge.

Simon's sessions have had a real impact on the local area by supporting children and young adults to take up the sport, improving mental wellbeing and physical fitness, and keeping then off the streets – all free of charge. Simon is widely supported by the parents of his students who help to fundraise for the group. 

Community Pantry

Community Pantry offer low-cost, healthy food and access to services through their links with St Leger Homes, City of Doncaster Council, the Police and partner organisations.

Community Pantry truly is the essence of ‘community’. They have turned a once barely used communal hall into a hub of community wealth – weaved together by a rich tapestry of food, people, humour and friendships.

Sam Finn

Sam is actively involved in many groups across Doncaster including the Doncaster Youth Council, the Scouts and he is a member of St Leger Homes’ Tenant Scrutiny Panel. He has a real passion to get involved and improve things for his community.

Sam is able to bring a young person’s perspective which has helped local services to develop and work well for young people.

The Betty Clayton Inspirational Young Person Award, honours the work done by a young person aged under 25 years old. 

Betty sadly passed away earlier this year after many years of supporting people in her community. She was a key figure in our tenant scrutiny and involvement groups ever since we started in 2005 and helped improve things for the benefit of all tenants. The winners for this award were chosen by our staff, in partnership with Betty’s family.

Winners:

Sam Finn

Sam is actively involved in many groups across Doncaster including the Doncaster Youth Council, the Scouts and he is a member of St Leger Homes’ Tenant Scrutiny Panel. He has a real passion to get involved and improve things for his community.

Charlotte

Charlotte, is a ball of young vibrant energy! She brings a whole new dynamic to the Barnby Dun coffee mornings, fundraisers, bingo and craft groups. She’s been the helping hands, laughter and ray of sunshine in the group for the last three years - and has no intention of ending any time soon!