“If something needs doing, I just do it. I have this talent of not being able to say no”
Pride of Manchester winner Norma Bowerbank(Image: Mark Waugh Manchester Press Photography Ltd)
A Moston woman who still volunteers at her local school, police station and church at the age of 86 – as well as providing a taxi service for her neighbours – has been recognised as the Pride of Manchester at a glitzy awards ceremony in the city centre.
The swish Deansgate Suite at the Hilton Hotel was taken over by swooping emblems of glowing yellow bees yesterday (June 20) as members of Manchester City Council gathered with the nominees for the annual Be Proud awards, the council-run ceremony celebrating those across the city who ‘go above and beyond’ to ‘pour back into their communities’.
The awards, for which a ‘record number’ of nominations came in from councillors and the public, were split into ten areas for recognition, including creating safer neighbourhoods, increasing skills and employment, and supporting local health and wellbeing.
It was from this pool of winners that the Pride of Manchester would be chosen. The ‘champion among champions’ award, sponsored by the Manchester Evening News, recognises “those with consistently high standards, selflessly going the extra mile and really making a difference”.
M.A.S.H Outreach Volunteers won the ‘Making Our Neighbourhoods Safer’ award for their work supporting sex workers(Image: Mark Waugh Manchester Press Photography Ltd)
It was an extremely crowded field which included Reel MCR, Sharon Waldron’s Pull Up Bar in the Northern Quarter and Mash Outreach Volunteers. But only one could be crowned and the prize went – to enormous cheers – to 86-year-old Norma Bowerbank, who earlier took the ‘Supporting Health and Well-being Prize’.
Not affiliated with any larger group apart from being a trustee of NEPHRA Good Neighbours, Norma is something of a powerhouse in her local community, getting involved in any and all sorts of activities in her local area – so long as it helps other people.
A life-long New Moston resident, she told the Manchester Evening News she has been volunteering in her local community since 1977 when she hosted a street party for the Queen’s Silver Jubilee.
“Because I’m always willing to do things, then you become attractive to other people who say, will you just help me with this? I have this talent of not being able to say no,” she laughed.
“I’m quite good at organising so people just kind of gravitate. If I see something that needs doing, I just do it.”
Norma with her award (Image: Mark Waugh Manchester Press Photography Ltd)
She serves as a devoted school governor, actively participates in her church community, and mentors young children in reading.
She also volunteers at her local police station, offering support to crime victims, and volunteers as a special needs advisor, helping parents and carers navigate the benefits system.
“I used to work for the DWP but when I retired I was always conscious that people might need help with it,” she said.
“And I worked in the cafe at Crumpsall Hospital and saw people who were a bit sad or had diagnoses that they weren’t happy with.
“I volunteer in a charity shop and people come in and say, you’re here, I can talk to you.”
“I don’t know what drives me – I just want to make people feel better and to enhance people’s lives. I was a wartime baby and it was hard to get people together and make things better after the war.”
“I’m quite proud of being northern, and because I’m an only child I’ve always fought for the underdog and wanted to make things better for others. It’s just part of me that, if something needs doing, I just do it.
“It is hard being by yourself but I’ve got so many friends. I couldn’t do this without support. And because I’ve been alone, I’ve joined organisations and have got involved.”
Norma with the Lord Mayor Carmine Grimshaw(Image: Mark Waugh Manchester Press Photography Ltd)
Norma’s eye-watering weekly schedule could rival that of anyone a quarter of her age. On Monday it’s her shift at a charity shop; Tuesday, choir; Wednesday, a keep-fit class; Thursday, an iPad class that she ferries people to (“I’m just a taxi service sometimes); and a coffee morning on Fridays.
“Occasionally when people ask me, I get tired, and would rather not do it,” she laughed. “But I’ll keep on doing it.
“I’m 87 in October but doing this gives me a buzz and satisfaction, that you can help people. It keeps you going.”
“But I’ve never courted attention. I was dreading giving a speech – I don’t like fuss.”
That was borne out by her acceptance speech as, taken by surprise, she was lost for words.
“My mother always used to say, never expect anything, and you’ll never be disappointed. How true that was,” she said.
“There’s so many helpers and so many reasons why you should do something; so many people who can help in bringing things together. I’ll just keep on doing what I’m doing – I don’t know what else to do!”
At the start of the evening, Lord Mayor of Manchester Cllr Carmine Grimshaw said the awards were about celebrate the ‘wonderful people of Manchester’.
“You have responded so well to the challenges the last year has brought,” he said.
“You have made a real impact and it makes me proud of our city and our people. We have a record number of nominations which is a testament to the incredible talent and dedication within our community.
“Thank you for all you do for this wonderful city of ours – please keep doing what you are doing. You really make a difference.”
Cllr Grimshaw opening the event(Image: Mark Waugh Manchester Press Photography Ltd)Full list of winners
Pride of Manchester (sponsored by the Manchester Evening News) – Norma Bowerbank
Supporting Health and Wellbeing – Norma Bowerbank
Neighbourhood Action on Climate Change – Easy Come Easy Grow
Supporting those affected by Poverty – Gemma Reid, The Chatterbox Project
Increasing Skills, Education and Employability – Kenny Umeh, Oasis Centre
Making our Neighbourhoods Safer – MASH Outreach Volunteers
Promoting Equality and Diversity – North Manchester Community Partnership
Making Our Neighbourhoods Cleaner and Greener – Sustainable Northmoor through Urban Greening (SNUG)
Creative Communities – REEL MCR
Businesses Supporting the Community – Sharon Waldron, Pull Up Bar Cafe