Good Deeds 2024

Chris has not only faced personal development through his anxiety but also became a beacon for others to overcome similar issues by starting PACT Owls. 

Chris was nominated by Darren McMahon. 

“When we first met Chris, his anxiety was so bad he could barely speak to people. That mixed with his autism had left him incredibly isolated and remote. Over a number of years Chris steadily built up his confidence and made friends at PACT House. Through lived experience he saw the need to support people who faced the same issues he faced and on the back of this created a group called PACT Owls. 

“Chris set the PACT Owl mission statement as ‘To help remove social anxieties and loneliness. Create friendship groups of all types. You don’t have to be socially awkward or lonely to join the group, it’s about connecting people’. 

“The name PACT Owls came from the original members as they often didn’t want to go home and would stay late into the night at PACT House. 

“The group is now thriving. They meet twice a week at PACT House, with Chris organising activities and making food for each session. Chris also encouraged the members to push themselves as a group and start going on external visits. They have gone to the cinema, travelled places by bus, visited Beamish Museum, spent a geeky day in Newcastle, enjoyed York Railway Museum. All things they’d have struggled to do without the peer support they give each other as a group.  

“As Chris says PACT Owls is ‘A safe place supporting people from feeling isolated and anxious’. 

“Chris has come so far and done amazing things. He’s modest and doesn’t take praise well, but he deserves praise, as a person who struggled through life, overcame and now has made life less of a struggle for many other people.” 

You’ve made a real difference, Chris. Congrats! 

Dragon Tale Theatre Group are a charity who produce an annual pantomime involving members of the local community. The group provides opportunities for both young people (8+) and adults to involve themselves in the arts, whether on or off stage, while keeping the group completely free of charge.  

Lorraine Lathan (pictured) from Dragon Tale accepted the award after they were nominated by Becca Robinson for the difference the group make to the community:

“Dragon Tale relies on donations and grants, as well as ticket sales, to continue to run. Due to costs, the group recently had to relocate their rehearsal space to enable membership to continue to be free of charge.  

“The group promotes confidence, self-esteem, diversity and inclusion and is run entirely by volunteers. Members of the group include a number of Karbon Homes customers and Dragon Tale continue to provide a safe space for residents, putting community at the heart of all they do.” 

Congratulations on making such a positive impact! 

Jane Johnson goes out of her way to help wherever she can and was nominated by Patricia Dixon. 

“Jane texts to see if I'm alright, pops over to lift my spirits and brings cooked meals and puddings over when I'm unable to cook. 

“She also takes the time to visit other vulnerable neighbours and the rest of the jobs around the community she takes part in. As well as going to work and caring for her mam. Worth her weight in gold.” 

Thank you for supporting others Jane, you’re truly a star! 

Vicky was nominated by our Community Connector, Paul Hadden for her monumental contribution to the South Pelaw Community Hub. 

“Vicky initially approached Karbon with a view to setting up a warm space at the Holyoake Communal room at South Pelaw in 2022. Since then, she has gone on to be a driving force in involving local residents in activities at the communal room. She has been instrumental in setting up the South Pelaw Community Hub, the aims of which are: 

‘To undertake social wellbeing and enrichment activities for the local community, to improve the local environment, to improve existing facilities for all local residents.’  

“The group have gone from strength to strength, engaging with many local residents and working constantly to offer the local community activities, friendship and companionship. The group have been successful in securing National Lottery support to continue the work of the Hub. Behind this Vicky and other volunteers have worked tirelessly to open up the communal room and activities to all residents in this area. For this reason, I wish to nominate her for the 12 deeds award.” 

Your dedication to helping others is truly admirable, Vicky. Congratulations! 

Ashleigh is a childminder who goes out to her way to support children and parents in her community. 

Ashely was nominated by Michelle Hope: 

“Ashleigh is the local childminder and does so much for the children and families she cares for. Her care stretches beyond the children she minds but she regularly works 17-18 hours a day to support parents who are working outside of normal hours. She regularly supports the school and has supported me many times with the High Spen social action charity. She just wants the children to be cared for.  

“Every child that has Ashleigh adores her and she is an angel as far as we are concerned. She never thinks of herself or puts herself first so I can’t think of anyone who deserves to be recognised more.” 

You’ve reached a new milestone in kindness, Ashleigh. Congrats! 

June has been nominated for running events that bring the community together and being a helping hand towards all. 

She has been nominated by Claire McDonald 

“June is a pillar of the community on the Crossfield's estate in Coulby Newham. June runs a bingo club every Monday night in the community centre on the estate and organises fun activities for the community, June has organised a raffle on 9 December whereby she has made up all the hamper prizes herself, which look amazing. She has also organised a Christmas party on 16 December for the OAP residents."  

“June has helped many neighbours, including resolving a bin situation in one of the communal blocks. and has even made hot meals for some in need. Neighbours know they can turn to June if they need support, and she is always there with her kindness and listening ear. June also looks after any Karbon employees and if she sees any in the community centre, she is always on hand offering a cuppa and cake or a sandwich.”   

Fantastic job, June! Your help means so much to so many. 

Elizabeth Carter was nominated by Diane Leighton for her amazing acts of kindness at Hartley Court. 

“I have only been the coordinator at Hartley Court since June 2024. Hartley Court was one of the former YHN sheltered schemes Karbon Homes took over earlier this year. 

“Betty Carter does good deeds every day at Hartley Court, and for me and most of the tenants at Hartley she is a STAR. 

“I have come to realise that without Betty Carter, nothing at this scheme would happen socially. 

“She organises trips out, meals out, theatre trips, birthday parties for tenants, Easter competitions, Halloween parties, bonfire barbeques and Christmas parties, including the entertainment for these. She tries to ensure all the tenants are invited and involved in some way, encouraging dressing up for special events. She decorates the lounge for all these events. The Christmas party is already organised and she is now preparing for next Christmas, ensuring that the preferred singer is booked well in advance. 

“When Betty was working, she volunteered a lot of her time to addiction charities, after the loss of a son to a drug overdose. She still supports these charities now. 

“I think it would be an excellent way to welcome a YHN property to Karbon Homes with an acknowledgment and to say 'thank you' to someone who keeps the scheme a lovely place to live.”   

Congratulations Betty! You have impacted so many lives with your positive attitude, we appreciate your hard work. 

Gemma Baker was nominated by Patricia Bernstein, Andrew and Daisy Marsh, Daniel and Darren Baker and Alison Rowley for helping people in need with her self-run Facebook page. 

Daniel said: 

“Gemma and the team do amazing things to help vulnerable people and provide support and gain community spirit to help gather food and support where is it needed most.” 

Darren continued:  

“Gemma does this page with a few others helping her. This year the page took a hit that affected loads of local people, when the Amazon food donation stopped, this helped so many families for the past few years. 
 
“This page is run from home and doesn't receive any funding due to just being a Facebook page for the community not a charity. They are trying to help families for Christmas dinners and presents. Not everyone feels comfortable asking a charity for help. 

“So, I am nominating this page as I think it's a well worthy cause.” 

Gemma, your kindness and dedication are truly inspiring. Well done! 

Kay Lyness was nominated by Lisa Evans, Julie Lee and Judith Owens for her dedication to her cat rescue charity called ‘Consett Cats’.  

Lisa said:

“Kay Lyness runs Consett Cat Rescue from her home. She set up the charity to help cats in the Consett area. Kay works tirelessly and selflessly, often around the clock, to rescue and care for abandoned, stray and feral cats and kittens. Her dedication to the welfare is exemplary and many cats owe their lives to Kay.”  

Julie continued: 

“A woman who cares about the welfare of cats, runs this charity along with Foster families and helpers. 24 hours a day is given to that care. With £3000+ a month vets bills, Kay catches feral cats. Ensures they are healthy and unable to have more kittens. I’ve got two rescue cats and keep in touch with over 700 other adopters. The charity is best contacted to see how this prize can help as lots of unwanted pets arrive there after Christmas.”  

Judith went onto say:

“A one person enterprise who works tirelessly to tackle the problem of feral cats by neutering. She is selfless and often goes above and beyond what is expected of a cat rescue. She is a lovely lady and deserves the recognition of how her life is dedicated to the welfare of the cat community.” 

Bravo! A round of a-paws for your efforts to help the cat community, Kay. 

Marie Urwin has volunteered for over 20 years, running different events at the local village hall. 

Marie was nominated by Mark Whaley:  

“Marie has run various baby groups, toddler groups, children's craft groups, family crafts over the years and is now running our sensory room groups. She has run these all on a voluntary basis over the past 20 years at our village hall for the local children. 
 
“Also earlier this year when our chairperson sadly took ill and died, Marie stood up and offered to take over this role as chairperson.” 

Kudos on your amazing work in supporting others! 

Kalwinder (Kally) Kaur was nominated by Tees Valley Women's Centre where she has been volunteering for over 10 years.

“When Kally first came to the women's centre, she was running her own interior design business and wanted to give back and teach other women in the community the skills she has. She completed the PTTL's course (teaching adults) and since then has volunteered her time to teach women sewing and upholstery skills. The classes are always full she creates a welcoming, supportive environment.  No matter what's going on in their lives outside of here, she offers them a listening ear, help and support, she has such a caring nature. 

“Kally also volunteers on our management committee to get what's best for the women throughout Tees Valley. She’s a driving force within the organisation working closely with the staff, Kally also cooks and provides the food at our weekly ‘Warm Welcome Wednesday’. when you speak to Kally, she always says she wants to give back to the centre as it’s also helped her personal development. On top of all her volunteering work she runs a successful interior design business. We could not be without her here at the centre." 

Cheers to your incredible compassion and success, Kally! 

Janet’s commitment to Tanfield Lea’s Welcome Space has been extremely helpful to the community, along with her support to her neighbourhood. 
 
She was nominated by Miranda Donneky: 

“At Tanfield Lea Community Centre, we’ve operated a Warm (later Welcome) Space, every Tuesday lunchtime for the past two years. We have a dedicated team of volunteers, among whom Janet does most of the cooking. Attendees receive a nutritious two course meal and unlimited hot drinks.  

“Janet is nearly always there cooking well in advance, often preparing vegetables etc, the day before and additionally does most of the shopping required. She is also one of the team working in the kitchen at our monthly coffee mornings, having baked the previous day. 

"During school holidays, she is heavily involved in organising entertainment, usually a film show with refreshments, for children. 

“Besides fitting this in around working hours, she and her husband walk round the neighbourhood weekly picking up litter. She is a real star in the community.” 

Way to go, Janet! Your generosity is making the world a better place.