|
|
You are here: Southwark \ News \ ROYAL HONOURS FOR SOUTHWARK'S DEDICATED COMMUNITY WORKERS
News
ROYAL HONOURS FOR SOUTHWARK'S DEDICATED COMMUNITY WORKERS
20 June 2008
THE MAN who has dedicated his life to hauling Peckham's young 'hoodies' out of their gangs and away from street crime is among those to be honoured in the Queen's annual birthday honours list.
Uanu Seshmi, Director and co-founder of the From Boyhood to Manhood Foundation (FBMF), was delighted with this week's news that he is set to receive an MBE for services to black and minority ethnic people and admits that he had completely forgotten that he had been nominated.
Seshmi was shocked when he was told of the announcement by the 'News'. He said: "Really? Wow, that's great. I had no idea it had been announced yet.
“It is a fantastic recognition on a number of levels - the hard work of the staff at the FBMF and all the work that the young people do.
"It is fantastic news and an absolute honour, not for me, but I accept this award on behalf of everybody at the From Boyhood to Manhood Foundation and the whole community of Southwark.
"There are people across the borough that have got help or need help, and I accept this award on behalf of them and will continue to give myself, to get those kids off the street and to keep them alive.
"It is a fantastic incentive to the boys here; they have evidence that if they work hard, are devoted to something and offer something back to their community then it can be recognised in this way."
Seshmi has worked tirelessly since 1996 at tackling the various problems that face young black children who have failed or been excluded from the school system and getting them back on the straight and narrow.
Over 11,000 of Southwark's youngsters have been through the Boyhood to Manhood doors, with many leaving behind their history of violence and disruption and returning to school, college or finding work.
Seshmi insists that now is a special time to celebrate and adds: "There have been ups and downs over the years, but this year is a special time. I am particularly proud of four young men who will be graduating from university. When they came to us all bad and tough, to watch them focus and show the ability to reach this status is just brilliant.
"I'm more proud about that, that is my recognition, that makes it worthwhile."
Southwark Primary Care Trust's director of nursing Donna Kinnair (right) was also honoured and will be made a Dame, after 25 years of nursing.
Dame Kinnair spent her early career as a community nurse in Hackney and Tower Hamlets before graduating with a master's degree in medical law and ethics. This led her to specialise in child protection south of the river.
Kinnair, who has lectured to both nurses and medical students around the world, including New Zealand, Moscow and Kenya, told the 'News': "It is fantastic and a real honour; nurses don't often get made a Dame and it is feeling a little bizarre. I knew a few weeks ago when I returned from holiday, but it is all now beginning to sink in a little.
"It is real recognition for community nursing and nursing as a whole, but I really want to thank the patients and colleagues I have worked with, both in health and social care in Southwark that have truly enriched my life."
Before being appointed Southwark's director of nursing in 2002 and becoming the first nurse to co-chair the Health Care for London Children's Workstream, Kinnair was the nurse advisor to Lord Laming throughout the Victoria Climbié inquiry. Eight-year-old Climbié from the Ivory Coast died in 2000 after years of neglect and abuse from her great aunt and her partner in Tottenham.
Susanna White, Chief Executive of Southwark PCT, said: "This is a wonderful accolade which reflects the tremendous contribution that Donna has made to nursing in London. It is also a recognition of the value of community nursing, and the tremendous work done by our nurses in the community on a daily basis."
Also honoured was 'Mr Nunhead', Ron Woollacott (left), who was amazed to learn that he will receive an MBE after almost three decades dedicated to his community. He said he never thought in his ‘wildest dreams’ that he would receive such an honour.
As the current Chairman of both the Nunhead Residents’ Association and the Friends of Nunhead Cemetery that he helped establish over 27 years ago, the local historian has actively fought for the people of Nunhead and Peckham and insists that somebody has to stand up for the people. He added: "I have always been a promoter of Peckham and Nunhead, along with the likes of John Beasley, and we always try to put the area in a good light because they get such a bad press.
"This has come completely out of the blue, I hadn't any inkling that I had been put up for it and then was shocked when I actually got the letter to say I had been accepted into the British Empire.
"I am absolutely amazed but really pleased. It will be me getting this honour, but it’s for all the people that work with you that, perhaps deserve an award and recognition themselves for the combined work we put in - but maybe it's my age."
The Chief Executive of the South London and Maudsley (SlaM) is set to be awarded an OBE for services to Healthcare while Brian Dickens, the Director of Lambeth and Southwark Sport Action Zone will receive an MBE for services to community sport in London.
The individual's investitures into the British Empire will take place over various dates in the upcoming six months. Those that have received an honour will be written to around six weeks before the date they are due to receive it and will be invited in front of royalty.
Social Bookmarks:
del.icio.us
Digg
Newsvine
Reddit
Facebook
StumbleUpon
Wikipedia: social bookmarking
Comments (0)
No comments have been posted.
Post a Comment
More in this Section
Latest Properties
BERMONDSEY SE1,
£330 ,
pw, To Let
RAILTON ROAD SE24,
£202,500 ,
Leasehold, For Sale
