Heroes come from all different walks of life, but the one thing they’ve all got in common is that they care for the community and want to make a difference.
To celebrate National Community Meals week, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s, Catering Service’s Community Meals team went out searching for the heroes in the County Borough.
Four heroes shone out amongst the crowds and were shortlisted to be crowned the Community Meals Hero for Rhondda Cynon Taf in a special ceremony with the Council’s Mayor, Councillor Simon Lloyd.
The Community Meals clients voted for their favourite hero and the winner has now been crowned the Community Meals Hero for 2010. The lucky winner was Brenda Williams from Cwmparc, Rhondda who is a Community Meals driver, based in Treherbert Kitchen. Brenda received a very special surprise treat courtesy of Alfreds Bar and Grill, Pontypridd as a special thank you for all the hard work she has carried out across Rhondda Cynon Taf.
Brenda who has been a devoted member of the team for 27 years and has always given 110% dedication to the clients she serves said: “I love my job, that’s why I have lasted 27 years. The Rhondda is an amazing place and the people are the salt of the earth. The general public have an enormous amount of respect for Community Meals and really appreciate the service. I am so delighted to be awarded this title, it is really unexpected – Thank you!”
Head of Catering Services at the Council, Anne Bull, said: “I was delighted to crown Brenda as the Community Meals Hero for 2010, Brenda is well know in her local community and always goes above and beyond ensuring that her clients are safe and well and have everything that they need. Brenda takes her community spirit to a different level by helping people with their shopping, laundry and DIY in her spare time. Well done!”
“I would also like to congratulate all those who were shortlisted as they are all heroes.”
All of those shortlisted for the crown also received chocolates and flowers during the special ceremony in honour of their contribution to their community:
Diane Jehu, from the Cynon Valley, has been a Macmillan Nurse since 1994 and specializes in breast cancer. Diane is based in the Prince Charles Hospital and has been an amazing member of the community and helped hundreds of her clients over the last 16 years. Diane always goes above and beyond her call of duty to ensure that they clients a taken care of at the times when they need it most. Diane, said: “My strength is my clients, they are amazing, we cry together and laugh together, my clients are my inspiration to do my job. I am amazed at their strengths in life and the way their family help and support them in the challenges ahead.”
Stephen Jones, who lives in Perthcelyn, has been a driver/passenger assistant for five years ferrying the elderly and disabled to day centres, hospitals, in fact, anywhere they want to go. Stephen loves his job and has been a dedicated member of the team often, helping clients outside of working hours. Stephen, said: “I treat all my clients like I treat my mother.”
Sarah Murray, from Tonyrefail was made redundant eighteen months ago and has not looked back. Sarah works as a volunteer across many boundaries of RCT, she is a Executive Committee member for Tonyrefail Communities First, a facilitator for a depression and self help group, a scout leader, a Governor for Llanharri School a walking leader for the Tonyrefail walking group, a river cleaner in an environmental group and a first responder volunteer for the Ambulance Service. As Sarah recalls, ” I especially love my role in the ambulance service where we administer first aid before the ambulance arrives, I really feel like I’m helping my community”.
Cllr Mike Forey, Cabinet Member for Health, Social Care and Well-Being and Older People’s Champion, said: “It is important that we celebrate the heroes in our community as they play a vital role in caring for those that need it most. The Community Meals team are all heroes in my opinion and are very dedicated. The team deliver 10,000 healthy, balanced meals to residents across Rhondda Cynon Taf. Community Meals is a crucial service for the many local people who rely on their daily visits from the team.”
The meals provided are healthy and of a superb quality, with a typical menu of delicious homemade food, such as roast turkey with vegetables and roast potatoes or salmon fillets and salad followed by warming desserts like apple tart /crumble and custard.
The Community Meals service is also here to support carers by providing meals direct to the clients’ doors for short periods of time, for example, for 2 weeks when the carers are on their holidays.
For more information on the Community Meals service, please contact Janet Slade- Jones or Lynne Evans on 01443 74415
