A WESTBURY couple have proudly received an award for being good neighbours.
Despite their own disabilities, Bill and Patricia Voisey have helped their neighbours in Thornbury Road in Westbury since moving there five years ago.
The couple were nominated for the Places for People “Good Neighbour” award by their neighbours, and were invited to an event at the National Centre for Early Music in York on the 3rd of September, where they were delighted to find out they had won the award.
Bill said, “We found out we were nominated over a month ago, neither of us drive and we thought we’d never get up to York, but the closer it got the more determined we got!
“It’s still been sinking in, we were shocked to be awarded, it was amazing! The thing is, you don’t think you’re doing much, but what you do for people means the world to them.”
The pair carry out a number of jobs to help out their neighbours, many of which are elderly. “I do bits of gardening or pop up to the shops, and we sit and chat with them – that’s quite a nice thing that goes a long way. “I also play draughts with my neighbour,” Bill added.
The award is even more commendable as they both have health problems themselves. Bill has dual sensory impairment, while Patricia suffers from arthritis, but between them they have been helping their neighbours with various tasks.
“The funny thing is with us two, because my eyes and ears are no good, she’s my eyes and ears, and I’m her arms and legs!” Bill said.
The overnight trip to York was a particularly special occasion for the couple as it co-incided with their wedding anniversary. They were treated to a hot buffet lunch and champagne and say they enjoyed the whole experience.
Places for People, who made the award, is one of the UK’s largest housing management and development groups, responsible for more than 60,000 homes around the UK. They have a long track record of successful development, from large-scale regeneration projects to the creation of whole new communities.
