THE TPAS AWARDS

The TPAS Awards

This years awards were held on the 14th February,  at the Connaught Rooms, Covent Garden.  I  travelled to London with two intrepid reporters,  Tracey Kember and Baeti Mothobi .  As soon as we entered you could see why it is call “Grand” it is magnificent, and the event was held in the Grand Hall, one of forty-eight rooms.   Some  of  the  Orbit Community Reporters were at our table, next to me was Paul from Margate and on the other side was Tracey. Teresa Wilson from Peoples Voice Media, who also taught us and Russell Heath , Orbit South Resident Engagement Advisor were also there.  The Orbit Communities Reporters  had been short listed  for the  Excellence in Digital Engagement Award and there were nine other awards. TPAS, recognises  excellence in resident involvement and empowerment.   The meal came first and  was quite nice but the moment we had been waiting for came next. Ours was the first  Award  to be announced and after days of anticipation,  we came down with a blow  to hear the winners  were, Viridians Older Residents.  They pilot tested how effective tablets and different training methods were at helping older people get online.  The other nine  Awards were mostly  represented & won by Amicus Horizon. To end off the day there was a Charity Prize Draw with many prizes, which I must say none of us won but I had had a lovely day in beautiful surroundings, which I shall never forget.

HIP OP

I am talking about my operation due to arthritis. I had to have a hip replacement prematurely because it became so painful & restricting. It took place nearly five weeks ago now & I was in hospital for five days. I did not have any stitches but it was miraculously glued together & has healed faster than I expected, albeit quite painful to start with. I did not expect the boredom that ensued while being housebound. At first I watched with interest, from my window, the view of the fast growing Erith Park but I’m afraid the novelty has now worn off. My friends & relatives have been very good in visiting me a lot. Also I have now got down to the jobs I had been putting off, like some needy sewing & sorting out the growing mountains of paperwork. I am going for short walks & all being well, on the 14th February, I hope to go to the TPAS Awards at the Connaught Rooms in London. Our Orbit Reporters Group have been short listed for an award. The group is the outcome of the Resident Media Reporter Training which took place last year.