Awards for Bob, Dot and Edna

Back in December 2006 Sandwell Homes hosted a special event to recognise all the time, dedication and hard work that tenants and leaseholders have contributed over the years.

More than 120 tenants and leaseholders from across the six towns attended the event on December 19, which was staged at the prestigious Richardson Suite at West Bromwich Albion Football Club.

Edna Barker and Dot Gospel, have completed level 1 of their Certificate in Community Volunteering (CCV) accredited by the Award Scheme Development and Accreditation Network (ASDAN).
Next came the achievement certificates for tenants who volunteered to take part in the Tenant Inspectorate Project, on behalf the team Agewell Sandwell member Dot Gospel, Julie Vaughan and Agewell Sandwell member Edna Barker received the certificates.

The final award of the evening went to Agewell Sandwell member Bob Cohen, for his outstanding achievement in housing;

Bob Cohen - Lifetime Achievement Award:

Bob was born in faraway sunny Jamaica on 13th February 1928, at the grand old age of 32 he came to live in England in March 1960.
Within a few years, Bob had become involved in the tenant movement, especially in the 1980s when the Government introduced Housing Action Trusts or HATs as they were called.

• Bob also played his part as a Tenant Board member for Sandwell Homes both during its early development and for a time when the organisation went live. He continued his role on the board for a total of 2 and half years.

• Bob is a very active member of the community and represents Smethwick on a number of different groups;

- Agewell Sandwell,
- Better Government for Older People,
- Sandwell Primary Care Trust,
- Smethwick Town Team ,
- Soho and Victoria Tasking Group,
- Community Action Project,
- Smethwick Community Forum,
- Smethwick BME Forum.

And this is all from a man who had triple by-pass heart surgery at the beginning of 2006, and who said he was taking steps to reduce his workload!
Bob is an inspiration for all in the community and his dedication and commitment is one to be totally admired.

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