Selfless, friendly, a good neighbour. They’re all things most of us strive to be — and it turns out they’re among the things people value most in those around them.
The Tele took to Dundee’s streets to ask folk what community spirit looks like, as we continue our search for local heroes in the run-up to the third annual Evening Telegraph Community Spirit Awards, sponsored by Angus Council Fostering and Adoption.
This year’s awards are shaping up to be our biggest yet, with four brand new categories to honour even more inspirational people from across Dundee and beyond.
The Fundraiser of the Year award, sponsored by Tay Taxis, is for those who have fundraised for charity in creative and inspiring ways over the last 12 months.
We’re recognising sports clubs and social hubs making a difference with our Community Group of the Year award, sponsored by Dundee City Council.
Carer of the Year, in partnership with Angus Council Fostering & Adoption, will honour those selfless individuals of any age who dedicate themselves to helping others, whether it is a family member or friend and in a voluntary or paid capacity.
Our final new prize, the Innovative Educationalist Award, will recognise individuals or teams who are inspiring and innovative within the education sector.
These new categories will join our existing awards for Safer Streets, Community Spirit of the Year, Inspiring Youth, Courage, Health and Wellbeing, Inspiring Senior, the Blue Light Award and the Lord Provost’s Award for Community Service.
Our glitzy award ceremony will be held on February 10 at the Apex Hotel.
To nominate, visit etcommunityspiritawards.com or telephone 01382 575308. Entries close on December 9.
Winnie McKenzie, 66, a retiree from the West End.
“You should just be out there and doing things. You don’t hear about most of the people that do things because they do them quietly.
“I know a woman who works in the Shelter shop on the Perth Road who does lots — she puts in so much work for things like the Shelter fashion show. People don’t realise it as she doesn’t make a big deal out of it. She’s very outward-looking and does such a good job.”
Judith Norrie, 39, a hairdresser from Ballumbie.
“Communities aren’t what they used to be. Where I stay we have a Facebook page so we do try but it’s not the same everywhere. There’s nothing for our kids to do so maybe community centres need to advertise things they’ve got on more. Someone with community spirit is selfless — they are helpful and look out for older people and kids especially. We don’t have many older people where we live but we always look out for each other.”
Adrian Nicholson, 47, a security worker from Fintry.
“SOMEBODY that’s nice and likes to help out, even just looking after each other. It’s nice to be nice. If you’re nice to people they are nice back. That’s the way it should work.
“My neighbour drives buses for the disabled, for instance. I’ve helped out in my own time and give money to charity all year round.
“I don’t know everybody in my area but the people I do know all look out for each other.”
Jillian Neil, 26, a retail worker from Fintry.
“I DO know someone that would help anybody out. She’s quite good for it — if she’s out and she sees an elderly person needing help she goes to help them. I’ve seen her doing it.
“I keep myself to myself but you can always tell when someone does a little bit more. A good community person is selfless — they think of others first, before themselves. If anyone asks me about those type of people, I always think of her.”
Peter Shanks, 37, a painter and decorator from Fintry.
“I THINK it’s somebody willing to help out more — community is very much what you make it. You should get along with your neighbours, too.
“Community spirit is dying out — people need to reclaim that spirit, reaching out to neighbours or offering to get shopping. We are very friendly with our neighbours, and I do some volunteering myself — I run a group for the local nursery where I take the kids out into the woods and things like that.”
Douglas Stewart, 68, a retired engineer from Monifieth.
“I WOULD say it’s somebody that’s willing to do a lot for the community. I used to know all my neighbours — now you’re lucky if you know two or three. A good community person brings people together — they look after others, the disabled, the elderly, their neighbours.
“Our grandson is in a wheelchair but he has got good friends. A lot of young people are even better than the older people, to tell you the truth.”
Gabrielle Downie, 26, a nursery worker from Hilltown.
“I THINK of people like support workers but I also have really nice neighbours. We all look out for each other in the flats — one of us does the bins and one of us always makes sure the door is locked. I think there’s a sense of it with the older generation. There’s a nice gentleman who my boyfriend helped with his shopping because his knees were sore. Since then, when he goes fishing, he brings us fish when he has a couple spare.”