A Frome woman has been highly commended in the BBC Make a Difference Awards for her passion and dedication in supporting others.
Becky Bird, who co-manages The Pod Charity and volunteers for various local charities, was recognised in the Good Neighbour category at the ceremony at the Westlands Entertainment Venue in Yeovil on Sunday 28th September.
Along with her work at The Pod, Becky also volunteers with and supports a number of charities and individuals, including Dorothy House and Fair Frome. She is a mentor to two young people in the Somerset Promiseworks scheme, is part of the Bath Cancer Support Unit group, helps the Rotary and the annual Santa float, and more.
She said, “I feel it’s lovely to be able to give something back to the community ultimately and see a need in individuals and be able to support them and be able to make our whole community feel like a better place. Not everybody can access things, not everybody has that good quality of life, or see themselves being able to fit into our community. I find it so rewarding.”
Becky, who was one of 28 finalists selected out of hundreds at the awards ceremony, described the event and her nomination as ‘humbling’.
She said, “There were just so many inspirational people in that room, people who are just going about their business doing stuff. I think if you are that kind of person, you don’t see what you do as any different.
“We all get something from it and in an interview that I did, which was played on the night, I said there isn’t any such thing as altruistic volunteering because we all get something from it, it feeds your soul somehow.”
Becky was nominated by her friend Amy, who she has supported through leukaemia for the last nine years.
She said that when she heard about the nomination and awards ceremony, it was important for her to take Amy, as well as her husband and daughter.
“Some days Amy can’t get out of bed, some days she can’t walk, she can’t move, she can’t do anything and she spends a lot of time in hospital. My aim was to take her to this event so we could go together.
“It was lovely to take Amy to it, for her to dress up and to be in the room where there were some celebrities, including Sarah Beeny handing out awards. It was really special for her to be part of that and I could celebrate her still being here.”
Becky started volunteering at The Pod Charity seven years ago, helping to provide a safe and supportive space for young people and adults with additional needs, as well as young carers and their families, by running various social events and activities. She then joined as a team member four years ago.
