Aawaz, the voice of women held their annual Celebration Event today on International Women’s Day, 8th March 2017.

Mayor of Hyndburn Councillor Tim O’Kane and Mayoress Mrs. Melanie Storey headed the list of dignitaries.  Mayor and Mayoress of Pendle Cllr Rosemary Carroll and Cllr Carol Belshaw-Goulthorp. and Chairman of Lancashire County Council , attended along with 195 guests from across the region.

Aawaz patron Councillor Mrs Jean Battle, said “This year’s event was truly diverse reflecting the diverse nature of Aawaz charity’s work with all sections of the communities”. She praised the charity’s volunteers and service users for arranging such a glittering event packed with music, dance, songs, presentations and awards. There were six award winners, three were ladies who have used Aawaz for support and learning and the other three were special community awards.

There were three Aawaz service user awardspresented to:

Mrs Khatija Bi received an award for her continued efforts in learning English and building her confidence. She is always cheerful with a smile on her face.

 Ms Shaheen was presented an award for her commitment to learning English building her confidence despite very difficult circumstances she is learning to stand on her own two feet.

Balqees Begum is a Carer and was presented with the service user award for her efforts in trying to learn English and become more confident making her better able to care for her son.

The three special community award winners were:

Dorothy Shears was presented with a special award in recognition for her work with community groups, always being bright, helpful and giving that special guidance holding your hand when groups are trying to work on difficult agenda’s in the communities. Helping them to put proper structures in place as well as help to access much needed funding so that they can continue to deliver the excellent work they do in the local communities. Dorothy has worked with Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Council for Voluntary Services for 17 years. During that time she has worked with over 2,000 individuals to help them to find voluntary work.

Elene Murphy was nominated for her community work. She is well known for her work in the community she is from Christ Church, which is a church building shared by two Christian faith groups, Catholics and Methodists. Located in the centre of Nelson, the building is used by many community groups.

Elene’s work at Christ Church, in part, entails looking after the groups who use the building to deliver their own activities in the community. She is also the coordinator for the Nelson Churches In Covenant (NCIC) Outreach, an emergency food bank which is run from Christ Church and at the Salvation Army building in Nelson 5 days a week. Elene is always on hand to help people who come through the door with complex social problems.

Father Lawrence a Parish Priest was awarded for his forward thinking work with the multicultural communities in the central ward of Hyndburn. He has been working with Aawaz in bringing communities together and creating a better understanding. He is the priest at three churches, St Andrew’s, St Mary Magdelen’s and St Peter’s.