NELSON Mandela has launched Help the Aged’s Living Legend awards for 2005. The awards aim to reward older people who have done extraordinary things in their local communities to become legends in everyday life, as well as to recognise outstanding gestures of courage and acts of kindness.
Mr Mandela, who was the charity’s Living Legend Hall of Fame Winner in 2004, said the awards provided a way to appreciate the work of those whose efforts sometimes went unnoticed.
“Nothing can explain the pride a person feels when their efforts are rewarded, especially when the recognition is as a prestigious as a Living Legend Award,” he said.
Members of the public can make nominations for the awards by obtaining a form from the awards hotline, 020-7239 1922, or by writing to Lucy Burton at Help the Aged, 207-221 Pentonville Road, London N1 9UZ. Alternatively, visit the website at www.helptheaged.org/events.
This year’s categories include Local Hero, Campaigner of the Year and Achievement in Sport. The closing date is 28 January, 2005.
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BIRKBECK, University of London, is launching a Certificate in Volunteering, which will give people the opportunity to gain academic credit for an assignment based on voluntary work.
The certificate will enable students to gain experience of working in a charitable, voluntary or other not-for-profit organisation and undertake course-related community activities. The idea is to enable students to apply the theoretical aspects of the course to related experience in the field.
The qualification is intended for volunteers, staff and trustees of not-for-profit organisations, as well as newcomers to the voluntary and community sector.
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A SERVICE has been launched to provide support to young people aged between 11 and 25, using text messages. Base 25, a charity dedicated to the needs of young people, hopes that the anonymity of texting will encourage youngsters to ask questions about sometimes embarrassing problems.
The service, called Text Talk and available on 07800 002222, is promising to provide an immediate response to troubled youngsters who text a dedicated number provided by Orange.
Young people requiring close support and guidance are still encouraged to attend face-to-face counselling. Base 25 services include counselling, contraception advice, under 18s substance service, careers information, young dads project and housing advice.
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RUKBA, the charity that helps older people to remain independent, is publishing 60-Wise at Home, a new free guide to enjoying an independent life in later years.
It will contain advice and practical ideas, including information on how homes can be affordably adapted to help older people. The book also shows the diverse range of innovative aids available, from flashing and vibrating doorbells to bed rope ladders and scald detectors.
No item in the guide costs more than £100, most of them cost much less, and all of them can make everyday tasks easier.
Sir Roger Bannister, the first person to run a mile in less than four minutes, has written the foreword, which states: “Even the fittest people sometimes find that things can become more difficult as they get older.”
A free copy can be obtained by calling 08457 585680.