Buckingham & Villages Community Board celebrate the Proud of Bucks Awards 2022

The Buckingham & Villages Proud of Bucks Awards Ceremony took place on Thursday 4th May as part of our Community Board Engagement and Partnerships Event. It was held in the auditorium of the Vinson Building at the University of Buckingham. The ceremony was well attended by our award recipients as well as their guests, members of the community board and local partners.

Quote from member of the public (Facebook): It was a lovely award ceremony, well done everyone!

Community Group Champions

Winner: The Hospital Car Service

This group has 24 volunteer drivers who take patients to hospital appointments. This is cheaper than the cost of a taxi and also ensures often vulnerable patients are reassured and less anxious about their appointment.

Patients who had previously used NHS patient transport often complain that they have to wait for a series of patients to complete appointments before being returned home from their own appointments and this bespoke door to door service alleviates significant stress at what can be a stressful time. One person who has benefited from their service said: “You don’t know what a difference this service makes to me. It has really helped me and now I don’t worry about how I can attend my appointment”

Highly Commended: Buckingham Community Lunch Cooks and Servers

This group cook a three course meal every week which they serve in Buckingham Parish Church. This includes setting up, serving group which is made by volunteers in their own homes, a main course, pudding and tea or coffee. Many people throughout the local community benefit from this including the elderly and young mothers with toddlers. This has been a massive help to people who are lonely or need a helping hand.

Young Community Champion

Winner: Hannah Steer

Our winner has been part of the county-wide Youth Voice forum for the last several years, and has acted as chair for the last 2 years.

This person speaks up for what she believes in. She has thrown herself into various adult-dominated spaces, including the Community Board meetings, other Council meetings, and standing at the podium at events.

She has raised young people’s issues and experiences within these spaces to campaign for much-needed attention and resource, acting as a champion and leader for her peers.

Highly Commended: Amy Haydock

Our highly commended has been a St John Ambulance Cadet for 12 years starting at the early age of 6 as a ‘Badger’ and since progressed through the ranks. Some of her achievements include:

• Cadet Corporal 2020 to 21
• SJA Grand Prior Award Lord Lieutenant’s Cadet of the Year 2022

She is also a Young Leader at YC2. She provided significant practical support during the lockdown including choosing, ordering, wrapping appropriate crafts/toiletries for the monthly YC2 activity bag distribution and provides regular help with small group outings for junior YCs.

Local Community Champion

Winner: Lucy Bignall

This person runs a local singing group in Buckingham. The focus is on improving mental health and everyone is welcome, no audition required. Some choir members live alone and feel isolated, some are carers and the choir has provided an outlet for them to express themselves and make friends along the way. This person’s nominee said: “I don’t know how she does it but she does it gently in a loving encouraging way. She makes us believe in ourselves and we all love her for it.”

Highly Commended: Tony Allen

Our first highly commended is very active in the community, particularly supporting causes related to men’s mental health. He set up the local men’s walking group and has also coached many people through the Couch to 5k process so that they can participate in the local Park Run.

Highly Commended: Sharron Kay

Our second highly commended established and runs the Buckingham waste not, want not Facebook page. She also helps run the Jedediah pantry in Buckingham which redistributes supermarket food.