Anne Sherwood, church warden at St Philip’s Chaddesden has received the “Community Hero Award” at the Derby Volunteer Awards on Thursday, 1 June 2023.
She received the award for her tireless work each week as the church warden and chief caterer at St Philip’s, and community shop volunteer at the Aspire Community Alliance at St Marks Derby.
Anne is a key part of the church community. You can find her providing meals and caring for the those who visit the community café on Thursdays, serving breakfasts on one Saturday each month, supporting school events, running toddler and craft groups and assisting other groups who use the space and need a hand, such as Derby County Community Trust and Derby Adult Learning Service.
She pours her heart and soul into the community and without her so much would cease to function.
Anne said, “I am so pleased to accept the award and share it with my colleagues in Aspire (St Mark’s) and at St Philip's. Five hundred years ago, St Teresa of Avila wrote, ‘Christ has no body on earth but yours.’ and so challenged Christians to demonstrate God’s love through personal service to others. Volunteering provides opportunities to pay back a lifetime of blessings, but it is certainly not one-sided. It’s a social experience working alongside others and supporting each other to achieve results. Volunteering can be FUN. – Try it!”.
Revd Sarah Watson, Area Dean for Derby City Deanery and Enabling Minister for St Philip’s Chaddesden, said “I am absolutely delighted that Anne has won this award. She really is an unsung hero who gives so much to this community as an outworking of her faith in Jesus. In her acceptance speech she spoke of the teams she works with; this is a real example of the Body of Christ in action, all playing their part in seeing lives transformed and touched by the Kingdom of God”.
The event took place during Volunteers Week 2023 and was presented by Community Action Derby and Derby Volunteer Centre in partnership with Derby Homes.
>> Learn more about Community Action Derby
>> Learn more about St Philip’s Chaddesden
Photos taken by S.H Photos and used by permission of Community Action Derby.
