During the first lockdown, Victoria/AIG headed up a team of hundreds of volunteers, including Veterans in Action, pulling together to form the Andover Isolation Group. Volunteers offered to collect prescriptions, deliver shopping, and even used a buddy system to phone those people who lived on their own, so they didn’t feel so isolated. The group operated out of the Queen Charlotte, which is also home, and became a lifeline to many people in Andover and the surrounding areas. The group are deserving of recognition for the time and effort they gave to help those most vulnerable during the most surreal few months of our lifetime.
Andover Advocates have been an invaluable resource, not just in the past, but especially over the last 18 months. There was so little open during the first six months of the pandemic, but Andover Advocates were so quick to respond and help people with a range of things where so many other services were unavailable. Andover Advocates give up their own time to go out of their way to guide, inform, support and help. They invest valuable time to those who need it the most.
Kevin has volunteered at Portway school for years at fetes and in the grotto and has raised thousands for charity. Having completed the Prudential 100 for Macmillan, a five hour fitness challenge and organising the Great Andover Run for Combat Stress, the London Marathon also for Macmillan, several bike challenges covering 300 miles for British Heart Foundation and a charity football match for Countess of Brecknock – to name but a few. Kevin has also played Santa for the local community, covering 40 miles over five nights visiting houses in his homemade sleigh – putting smiles on many faces during the pandemic and many restrictions. A volunteer at Andover carnival, he also dedicates his personal time to it, not giving up until its right. Kevin is so enthusiastic about the town and people in it, always giving back, always positive, and always coming up with new ways to help. A true community legend.
At the centre of Thruxton village, Rick has been arranging community events to bring the residents all together. In March this year, Rick set up a volunteer group to make sure older, and more vulnerable residents were able to access the food and medicine they needed. Rick also set up a news bulletin for residents to share news, suggest fun activities and even raise money for local charities through raffles and various fundraisers. It was totally inclusive to everyone in the village, making it even more special. Rick has raised more than £15,000, helped victims of a house fire and theft, installed new equipment in the play park, picnic areas and even installed a fence to keep the children safe.
A dedicated young person, our next winner stands up for young voices, representing 25,000 constituents. A member of youth parliament, Dmitrijs has spoken in the house of commons, set up his own youth charity, as well as working tirelessly with different organisations, councillors, and charities to try and improve the Andover community. Dmitrijs raised money during lockdown interviewing local guests, hosted and organised A-Fest, and still has time getting involved in the community. Vice-Chair of a local group, Youth Ambassador for Unity, advisor to Andover Trees and The Sleep Charity, lobbying for youth voices during the pandemic, and championing #IWill campaign, to name but a few! Receiving the prestigious Diana award, Dmitrijs continues his determination to strive for a more youth inclusive community.
Struggling over the last couple of years, Dylan finds most aspects of life incredibly hard, including school. However, his passion for the environment outshines everything else. Often seen picking up litter before and after school and on weekends. Dylan enjoys teaching his fellow students the impact littering has on the environment. At just 10 years old, Dylan really cares and is passionate to make a difference no matter how small.
Throughout the pandemic, and through to this day, Adam believes in supporting local businesses, running their social accounts all free of charge. He also set up PHAT services which provides jobs to taxi drivers. Adam recently became Great Britain Jujitsu Director, setting up national competitions. In talks with the JJIF to try and become the GB Federation which represents sports jujitsu for the Olympics, they are in talks with the IOC to see if sports jujitsu could work in the Olympics. If successful, Adam could become the director of the Olympic squad. Not only that, at Kyouken, he provides members with free training as he believes that those who want to train, should. Adam started the same programme with children with ADHD or other behavioural issues to try and help parents. Also completing school talks and renovating the Phoenix Centre by fixing the fence, cleaning up the garden and redoing the office.
A 14 year old from Andover, Ayden dedicates all his spare time outside of school training to become a professional golfer. In August 2021, Ayden won the men’s golf tournament in Andover, showing maturity well beyond his years. His drive, determination, and commitment are second to none and as a result Ayden has become a great role model to young people in Andover.
After setting up a group on Facebook called ‘You Matter Too’, Dani offers support for anyone going through difficult times. From break ups to domestic violence to the pandemic, Dani offers support, help and guidance to anyone who needs mental health support. All in her own time and completely free of charge, Dani is always there for anyone who needs help, or just to chat. The group is now worldwide and as a busy mum too, Dani finds the time to help, and no doubt has saved lives.
Running a mental health support on Instagram, Paige, and Coral support over 38,000 Andover residents by answering every single message they receive. They signpost to respected services, run daily live videos so isolated people can connect as well as helping in any way they can with people’s mental health. Suffering themselves, they dedicate their lives to helping others and running their page. They now support people of all ages and walks of life, from all over the world.
Having lost the sense of smell in 2012, Chrissi set up a charity called AbSent to support others. Based in Andover, it also helps anyone affected by anosmia or other smell disorders across the world. During the pandemic, AbScent’s support page on Facebook became inundated with people losing their smell and taste and had nowhere to turn. (This person) (Chrissi) immediately campaigned along with other international medical organisations and charities to get smell and taste loss recognised as an official symptom of COVID19. Chrissi has built partnerships with medical bodies, run medical research projects, and has expanded the charity to help more people. The impact that smell loss can have on people’s lives is finally being recognised thanks to Chrissi’s tireless work.
As well as working full time and raising a family, Charlotte gives up a massive amount of her free time to the Andover 12th Beavers. The children in the group get so much from these sessions and are given opportunities they never would have otherwise – including regular camping trips away. Over lockdown, Charlotte took to zoom to present new opportunities providing social time, games, seeing baby hedgehogs in a sanctuary as well as environment initiatives and even a talk from a poet and a pilot. Charlotte has quietly made the biggest impact on the lives of so many young people.
Kelly works very hard, putting others before herself, despite working full time and having four children to care for. Anything from gardening, dog walking, cleaning, decorating, buying flowers for surprise reciprocates, raising money for charities, supporting the older community, and dropping care packages off to those in need, all while not being able to drive – nothing is too much trouble. Kelly is always there to talk to, and is a caring, loving, and supportive person to all.
Always helping others in the community, Nicky gave up much of her time during the pandemic to jab, shop, pick up prescriptions, offer lifts, nursing, free counselling as well as volunteering at the Andover Isolation Group to support them too. Not only that, but Nicky supported one man who was seriously ill and vulnerable, visiting regularly, taking him out for day trips too – offering over 100 hours of time to help. Even now, Nicky still checks in on him to make sure he is doing OK. Her business as a counsellor led to Nicky offering free sessions to those who genuinely needed it, especially during the pandemic. Giving every breath to help others, and once a volunteer, now a friend to many people.
A teacher at Royal Academy of dance, Louise teaches ballet to over 200 pupils ranging from 2 upwards, puts on a bi-annual show and has raised thousands for local charities. Throughout the pandemic, Louise taught ballet to her pupils via Zoom, rearranging her furniture to accommodate the lessons. All to give her students a bit of normality. To keep it exciting, Louise held Zoom discos for younger children, investing in new equipment and attending courses, all to keep the spirits up of her pupils. Louise’s energy, kindness, fun, brightness radiates, and you can see it in all her pupil’s faces, creating positivity and happiness to so many families.
A musical director of Andover Ladies choir, the group performs to audiences to raise money for local charities and has raised thousands of pounds in the process. Transferring to Zoom during lockdown, Clare provided huge support to members, sharing news and fun, and just being there for everyone. Last Autumn Clare ordered singers masks from America to keep them all safe – even being featured on ITV News. Meeting in larger groups outdoors Clare created Carpark Choir to rehearse outside their normal venue, even providing for those unable to attend using Zoom – it was even copied by other choirs on Twitter. Now, Andover Children’s Choir is in the pipeline – a caring, supportive, talented role model to many who know her.
Tania decided to start helping the community by taking in unwanted toys and clothes and donating them to people who did need them. At first, her home became her hub, collecting items from people herself and storing them in her home to distribute out to those in need. Now, having grown quite considerably, Tania now has a dedicated shop in the town centre. Aiding the crisis centre, Tania and her team of volunteers give up their spare time to offer a valuable service to the community. From exchange days to easter baskets, to Christmas Eve boxes and Summer ready kits, Tania has become an important part of Andover and the community is lucky to have such a compassionate charity at the heart of town.
Paul faces many challenges daily, mentally, emotionally, and physically. Despite this, Paul has been completely dedicated to the success of Andover Rocks, before, during lockdown, and even now. Paul produced a radio show weekly for Outreach radio for the past year too – all while in distress, severe pain, and discomfort. With technical knowledge second to none, and always finding new ways to innovate, Andover Rocks would not be where it is today without Paul’s creative ideas. Paul can inspire many with his attitude and talent and are proud to be part of his team.
Kevin has volunteered at Portway school for years at fetes and in the grotto and has raised thousands for charity. Having completed the Prudential 100 for Macmillan, a five hour fitness challenge and organising the Great Andover Run for Combat Stress, the London Marathon also for Macmillan, several bike challenges covering 300 miles for British Heart Foundation and a charity football match for Countess of Brecknock – to name but a few. Kevin has also played Santa for the local community, covering 40 miles over five nights visiting houses in his homemade sleigh – putting smiles on many faces during the pandemic and many restrictions. A volunteer at Andover carnival, he also dedicates his personal time to it, not giving up until its right. Kevin) is so enthusiastic about the town and people in it, always giving back, always positive, and always coming up with new ways to help. A true community legend.