“I’m honoured to be nominated,” said Library Manager Neha Dhakar at The Barnet Care Awards 2023/24 ceremony at Hendon Town Hall, where Barnet recognised its best care service staff.
Neha won the Activity Organiser Award for her exceptional talent in creating jobs for people of all abilities, broadening their individual learning and development.
The jobs are giving Kisharon Langdon members work experience and benefitting the local community.
Together with Development and Learning Lead Aviva Braunold, Neha developed a project to give warm packs to people living locally who were struggling to pay winter heating bills. Around 120 packs of warm clothing were prepared by Kisharon Langdon members – doing the shopping, making sure the kit met individuals’ specifications and making sure they were ready for collection by the grateful recipients.
In addition, the library runs English at Tea Time, aimed at refugee children and others with language difficulties from the local community, and offers free English language classes led by a volunteer on Wednesday afternoons.
Nominating Neha, Helen Sowa, Kisharon Langdon Director of Operations said: “The library programmes go beyond activity. They allow those we support to give back to the local community, while enhancing their own lives through skills development, socialising and work experience.”
Neha paid tribute to Aviva and Sarah Sharlott, Head of Community Opportunities and Social Enterprise. She said:
“It’s great to get recognised for the work we do in the library. While the name on the nomination is mine, this award is shared by all our volunteers and Sarah and Aviva who’ve contributed to the creation and delivery of our multidimensional offer.”
