The Colonel Probert Award

October 2019 

Hour Community, from Framlingham, wins The Colonel Probert Award at the county Suffolk Community Awards

The Colonel Probert award is an award for an organisation that has worked exceptionally for the benefit of the community.

Winners and guests gathered at the Museum of East Anglian Life in Stowmarket last month to celebrate the Suffolk Community Awards. The Awards are a partnership between Community Action Suffolk, Suffolk County Council and the Suffolk Association of Local Councils.

Hour Community is a need lead organisation that listens to the residents and tries to address their needs. To date they have provided a community wheelchair accessible transport service that focuses mainly on medical appointments and weekly outings for Mills Meadow residents.

They also run a monthly dementia friendly lunch club, The Forget Me Not Club, and a weekly Mental Health drop in cafe, The Worry Tree – both of whom use the Hour Community minibus for outings. The Forget Me Not Club is part of the befriending service in the town.

The way they have improved the community is by providing services that would otherwise not be available to those who are on their own or in need of support with a dependant relative, which is having an impact on their wellbeing.

They also have two trishaws, that are used to take residents of Mills Meadow for a cycle ride around the town, and a van for furniture clearance.

Christine Abraham Chief Executive of Community Action Suffolk said “Hour Community are such worthy winners of this award as the achievement over the last year has been absolutely amazing. They now have over 40 volunteers involved and support people from across the community that need a little extra help and support.”