NEWS
J
oseph was poorly when he was born and the care and guidance the Gossett ward and midwifery team gave him and his family was the reason he wanted to help them. He collected 11 bags of litter over two days, raising a total of £1,860. Now Joseph is one of three inspirational recipients of the Male Role Model Awards presented by West Northamptonshire Council. His parents said: “It was all his idea, and he did amazingly. He is an inspiration to other children and to adults and we are sure this is just the beginning of his kind and caring nature and he will continue to do great things.” The awards, now in their third year, celebrate individuals who go above and beyond in their daily lives to help others and make a real difference in their communities. Such was the calibre of nominations that the judges awarded the special recognition award to Joseph and community stalwart Toby Birch, who was one of the founders of Community Spaces Northampton in 2011. The initiative works to safeguard community centres around the borough for community use. Toby remains its chair and of Rectory Farm Residents Association. He is also a trustee of Voluntary Impact Northamptonshire. Mental health advocate Nick Wilson received the Inspirational Man award, one of five outstanding nominees on the shortlist according to the judges.
Six-year-old Joseph Dooley setting an example to us all The youngster has raised more than £1,800 from a sponsored litter pick in the area around his home village of West Haddon, with the money going to the Gossett ward at Northampton General Hospital and the Northamptonshire charity Earth’s Lonely Angels.
Joseph Dooley (above) collected 11 bags of rubbish over two days. Nick Wilson (left) received the Inspirational Man award for his work in mental health.
After 14 years of service in the Army with deployments around the globe, Nick was left with Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, a debilitating spinal disorder resulting in seven pro-lapse discs and a constant battle with chronic pain.
Through his daily fight with both physical and mental disabilities, Nick openly shares his journey for the benefit of others, seeking to inform, inspire and empower others to better manage their own mental wellbeing. He founded a men’s support group, Talk Mental Health, during the pandemic which has already helped over 150 people. “This award means so very much to me,” Nick said. “We have all been through some horrendously tough times over the past 20 months and this award is dedicated to all those courageous warriors who have faced up to and accepted their own realities and overcame their challenges to begin thriving in life once again, as opposed to merely existing and surviving in it.” Nick was nominated alongside Peter Smith, head of Newbottle & Charlton primary School, Knife Crime Victim Support founder Quinton Green, Steve Bishop a member of the Northants Litter Wombles, and Lee Lewis, co-founder of The Lewis Foundation.
Your Care Your Home Your Choice
LOOKING FOR CARE OR LOOKING TO CARE? NNCA can help you. Providing home care across Northamptonshire, our carers are dedicated to keeping people safe in their own homes. Helping complete those tasks that have become difficult to manage. Whether you need some support or want to help support people in our community then NNCA is for you.
Speak to one of our team on 01604 621030 Unit 7 Ross Road, Weedon Road Industrial Estate, Northampton, NN5 5AX Email us: info@nnca.co.uk | Find out more at: www.nnca.co.uk
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January 2022 | NN Pulse Magazine | 22,000 Copies delivered every month door to door across Northamptonshire
