Award Success!!
We are delighted to announce that our very own Sally Cockerill, Community Investment Manager, has recently received the Paul Harris Award for Outstanding Service to the Community.
The prestigious award was presented to Sally by Michael Boyce, the outgoing President, of the Cardiff St David's Rotary Club at its Annual Dinner at the St Mellons Hotel in July.
Sally has worked tirelessly to develop the Community Creche in St Mellons. This registered charity offers free childcare to parents enabling them to take up training courses at the nearby Community Education Centre. The standard of care is exceptional and the crèche receives glowing reports.
The crèche could not operate without the support of Cardiff Council, and its dedicated crèche staff, but equally important are the charity trustees and volunteers who are responsible for the crèche premise and liaise with local training providers as well as drawing down invaluable grant aid.
Sally has been the Chair of the Trustees since the charity first came into being in 2002 and its thanks to her dedication and commitment that the crèche still survives today. It has faced potential closure on a number of occasions, but somehow, each time, Sally has found another source of funding or another means to keep this vital service running.
The most recent challenge has involved negotiating with Tesco the re-location of the existing crèche into the new Tesco Extra Store when this is developed. Not only has this been achieved but Tesco will be fitting out the unit so it is ‘fit for purpose' and leasing the crèche to the trustees rent free for a 5 year period.
On receiving this award Sally was quick to point out that the creche's success is due to the hard work and commitment of a number of partners, including the Rotary Club itself. These organisations know the importance of the crèche in providing childcare and learning opportunities to some of the most disadvantaged families in St Mellons.
John Griffiths, Club Secretary said, "Sally has been an inspirational, tireless leader in this exercise. Without her diligence, the crèche may well have ceased to exist, thus leaving young parents in St Mellons with little chance of acquiring new skills and qualifications. She has taken her role as Community Investment Manager for Hafod Housing Association beyond the normal boundaries and has done a great service to the local community."
