Campaigns > Celebrating Older People

Working with Age Concern Lambeth, Age Concern Southwark  and London Fire Brigade along with Lambeth Pensioners Action Group and Southwark Pensioners' Action Group, in November 2007 I hosted a unique new event aimed at celebrating the contribution of Lambeth and Southwark's older residents to our community.

Local people were invited to nominate friends and relatives for one of nine awards, ranging from the 'Good Carer' award to honours for voluntary work, environmental work and creative achievement. There was also an award for a local group run by or for older people. A winner was selected from both Lambeth and Southwark borough for each category.

I was delighted to be approached with this idea. Older people make a huge contribution - I work closely with many people in this age group across my constituency and a lot of people are involved in a huge number of activities. I think it's a great idea to recognise this - this not only celebrates the achievements of older people but also the diversity of our community.

Over 100 people gathered in the Chamber at City Hall to watch the awards ceremony and enjoy music from Entelechy Arts and dancing from the South Asian Elderly Organisation's Dance Group.

I was joined by guest presenters Cllr. Mark Bennett, Lambeth Council's Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Kurban Haji, Chair of the South Asian Elderly Organisation, Cllr. Fiona Colley, Chair of Overview and Scrutiny at Southwark Council, Ellen Lebethe, Chair of Lambeth Pensioners' Action Group (LAMPAG), Julia Shelley, Chief Executive of Age Concern Lambeth,  Chris Lunn, Director of Fundraising and Communications at Age Concern Southwark, Simon Hughes MP and Commissioner Ron Dobson of London Fire Brigade.

The ten winners were presented with an elegant, engraved glass plaque and all the nominees each received a certificate signed by Ken Livingstone, Mayor of London.

The winners were:

Good Neighbour - Lynda-Anne Garwood-Warren
Good Carer - Harry Smith
Creative Achievement - Cecile Nobrega
Intergenerational Achievement - Mary Thomas
Lambeth Volunteer Award - Barbara Glosby (award accepted for Barbara by Julia Shelley)
Southwark Volunteer Award - Derek Way
Lambeth Group Award - Professor Stanley Davies and People's Excursion
Southwark Group Award - Time & Talents Stroke Club
Lambeth Outstanding Achievement Award - Brian Moughtin
Southwark Outstanding Achievement Award - Marie Bottomley

You can find more information about the winners here.

The event has taken a lot of work over several months and I'm delighted that everyone has enjoyed the day as much as we have planning it. I'd like to thank everyone involved, particularly Kurban Haji who had the initial idea and drove the first stages of the planning.  It has been a very worthwhile event and I feel proud to represent Lambeth and Southwark and the marvellous people who live here.

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