James Attrill, High Sheriff of the Isle of Wight attended the meeting of Ventnor Town Council last week (14th Feb) to present High Sheriff Awards to three volunteers from leading community organisations based in Ventnor.
Marzena Turner (pictured left) and Joyce Milford (pictured second left) from Baby Box Isle of Wight and Steve Northern from Ventnor Community Foodbank.
Baby Box Isle of Wight
Marzena Turner and Joyce Milford set up Baby Box Isle of Wight in 2018. The community project helps families struggling to provide for their children with basic everyday essentials. They provide nappies, wipes, baby food and formula and clothing and other essentials.
They became a charity last year. They are based at the former Youth and Community Centre in Ventnor but help families across the Isle of Wight. The group was a key resource for many during the pandemic and they have seen an increase in the number of food parcels they are providing.
They have recently run cookery classes for parents and have been supported by Morrisons, ASDA and the Co-op – as well as funding from the Isle of Wight Council and many donations from individuals.
Ventnor Community Foodbank
Steve Northern (pictured second right) has been a volunteer at Ventnor Foodbank for many years- firstly when it was part of the Isle of Wight Foodbank and then from July 2020 when it became Ventnor Community Foodbank, an independent Foodbank run and managed by its volunteers.
The Foodbank is based at the Baptist Church in Pier Street and currently has a dozen volunteers. The Foodbank has fed nearly 900 people in the year to December 2021, is open to all and doesn’t require a referral or a voucher. They have seen an increase in the number of people turning to them for help in the last few months.
Attrill: Honoured to make awards to all three recipients
Jame Attrill (pictured right), High Sheriff said,
“High Sheriff’s Awards are given to those who have gone above and beyond in their service to the community in the county. The Island has an amazing volunteer sector and without them we would, without doubt, struggle.
“Joyce and Marzena started Baby Box before the pandemic – with their energy and unswerving commitment Baby Box has flourished – it now helps support families in Ventnor and all over the Island.
“Steve’s chairmanship of the Ventnor foodbank has gone well beyond supporting this vital service; Steve has personally spent the time to mentor some of those in the most difficult of circumstances to find work and somewhere to stay. I was honoured to make awards to all three recipients for these remarkable efforts”
Cockett: We wish them well in these increasingly difficult times
Cllr Stephen Cockett (pictured centre), Mayor of Ventnor said
“The council are delighted to see the tireless work of these volunteers recognised at this level, the contribution to the town has been priceless and such is the quality of their work that they inspire others around the Island to follow in their footsteps.
“I am sure that I speak for all townsfolk and Islanders when thanking them and their teams and we wish them well in these increasingly difficult times.”
