Awards recognise older people as the heartbeat of their communities
Gloucestershire’s community heroes were honoured at a special awards ceremony recently.
The Village and Community Agents invited nominations for the fourth ‘Celebrating the Achievements of Older People Awards'. People were asked to put forward their friends, relatives or neighbours over 50 from all over the county who are a shining example of what can be achieved in later life.
Rosie Rumble and Tony Temlett were joint winners in the community category – the award to recognise a volunteer or charity worker who is really making a difference to other people’s lives within their community. 
Rosie, 57, set up the Evergreen Club in Siddington and has been running it for 24 years on a voluntary basis. The club gives members the opportunity to take part in art and craft classes and bingo, but also monthly meetings where speakers are invited. There are also bus trips, lunches and a Christmas party.
Tony, from North Nibley, voluntarily organises a weekly coffee morning for older people in the village and once a fortnight, he organises a Friendship Club. He makes sure people are able to get to the meetings and picks them up in his car if necessary. At the meetings, he auctions off goods with the proceeds used to give all members a free Christmas lunch and often a free day out by coach during the year. 
The sport category winners were Gloucester Over-60s swimmers. This group has been taking advantage of free swimming sessions at GL1 leisure centre in Gloucester, learning to swim and building their confidence in the water. The oldest member of the group was in her 80s.
Rob Curley, 62, from Dymock, took the honours in the caring category, awarded to someone who looks after a partner, friend or a group of people. He has overcome great challenges in his own life and has kept his sense of humour throughout. He is now involved with helping to care for people in the sheltered housing accommodation where he lives, helping them to get around and do their shopping.
He has also become involved with community project Fairshares. This is a time bank project that involves an exchange of time and skills. For every hour you spend helping someone, you can get an hour’s help in return. For example, you may help someone with their garden then someone helps you with your computer. It’s built on the principle of being a good neighbour.
Full-time carer Chris Rumble, 64, from Siddington, was highly commended as someone the community relies on.
Cllr Antonia Noble, Gloucestershire County Council Cabinet Member for Caring and Community Services, handed out the awards along with former county council chair, Mavis Lady Dunrossil.
Cllr Noble said: “These winners either give up masses of their time for free or are an amazing example to others. It was an honour to meet them be able to recognise their good work with these awards.
“Volunteers play an absolutely vital role in their communities and their contribution is only going to become even more important in future. Volunteering can be hugely rewarding. It can be a good way to re-train and gain confidence, or simply to make better use of your skills. It can also be just an enjoyable way to spend time, socialising and working for your local community.”
The Village and Community Agents are funded by the county council and NHS Gloucestershire and run by the Gloucestershire Rural Community Council. They bridge the gap between communities and organisations that are able to offer help or support to the over 50s. While Village Agents provide support to over 50s mainly in rural areas, Community Agents support black and minority ethnic groups countywide.