Belvedere Manor Residents Association scoops top PPN award at Gala event in Waterford
Pictured, back row: Sean McKeown, CEO, Waterford City and County Council; John Cummins, Minister for Local Government and Planning; Sinéad Breathnach, Chief Officer, Waterford LCDC & SEO, Community & Sports Dept., WCCC; Conor D. McGuinness, TD; Séamus de Faoite, Director of Services, Housing, Community & Emergency Services; Front Row: Michella Cullinane, Belvedere Manor Residents’ Association; John Pratt, Deputy Mayor of Waterford City and County; Jo Cregan, Belvedere Manor Residents’ Association; Marion O’Mara, Member of Waterford PPN Secretariat.
Belvedere Manor Residents Association in Waterford city scooped the overall award at the 21st annual Waterford PPN Community and Voluntary Awards at the gala awards ceremony in The Park Hotel, Dungarvan.
The group will now represent Waterford at the Pride of Place Awards next year, a national competition which rewards excellence in community participation and involvement.
The judges on the night commended Belvedere Manor for supporting vulnerable local residents, mental health, youth engagement and inclusion.
"They mobilise quickly in times of crisis to combat loneliness and foster social connection for all ages. Not happy with what they have done over the past 30 years, the group have more plans for the future.
"These include expanding their youth engagement by launching a Youth Residents Sub-Group, improving their social media page with real-time updates, a resident’s feedback portal, creating a community app or newsletter to keep residents informed," the judges added.
Deputy Mayor John Pratt also congratulated the finalists saying: "The breadth of community work in Waterford is astounding and each and every one of these groups and individuals contribute so much to our communities.
"From residents associations to youth coaching, and age action initiatives to committee volunteers, these community and voluntary networks have a profound, positive effect on the communities they operate within."
A packed house of over 200 people attended the gala ceremony, which included Deputy Mayor of Waterford City & County Council, Cllr. John Pratt, Minister Mary Butler, Minister John Cummins, TD Conor D. McGuinness and representatives from all groups and individuals nominated for this year’s awards.
- Children & Youth - St. Paul's Scout Group
- Community Safety - Re-A-Suir
- Environment & Conservation - Tidy Towns Tramore
- Health & Wellbeing - Fiontar Pobail
- Social Enterprise - Chronic Health Advocate CLG
- Social Inclusion & Community Support - Tallow Men’s Shed
- Spik & Span- Best Kept Residential Area - Belvedere Manor Residents Association
- Age Friendly Volunteer of the Year – Gus Fitzgerald, Francis Court Age Action
- Board/Committee Member of the Year - Csilla Czelvikker, Waterford New Communities Network
- Junior Volunteer of the Year – Kellie Walsh, Dungarvan Rugby
