Emotions ran high this week as Senior Administrator, Debi Johnson was presented with an Inspire award from Diabetes UK.
Her selfless, volunteer work in spreading awareness in the community has scooped her the award for Campaigning and Influencing.
Debi received the award at this week’s BAME network meeting and she shared a little of her emotional story with the group, which started when she joined the Community Champion Programme in Kirklees.
She told how in 2010 she went through an extremely rough patch. Her father died just months after the birth of her youngest son, and she forced herself back to work more quickly than she should have.
She decided to take charge and think about her own goals and how personally she could make a difference in her local community. Debi, said "I chose diabetes because so many members of my family including my mother has it.
"I realised I didn’t know enough about diabetes and I wanted to understand it, educate myself and also spread the word so other people could have the chance to delay or prolong the onset or at least manage their condition. I also want to live longer for my children - being advised I’m at risk due my ethnicity was an awakening.
"I needed to lead by example and also had to change my habits…..so I went out and bought a Fitbit and then joined a walking group".
Debi took part in a coaching academy and came back feeling empowered. It was around the time the BAME network was set up, which Debi said was like “a breath of fresh air and she had a real fire in her belly to make a difference”.
She has never looked back, and her work achievements since then, including taking part in the inclusive mentoring programme, have been mirrored in the work she carries out in her local community – giving up valuable time at weekends and evenings spreading the word about Diabetes.
Assistant Director of Human Resources, Claire Wilson, said "I have been really proud to be involved in the inclusive mentoring programme with Debi. I have been on a journey with her and have seen her grow and develop so much over this time. Debi has high aspirations and she has certainly been an inspiration to me and I have learned lots by knowing her".
Lucy Wieland, from Diabetes UK volunteers gave Debi her award. She told how Debi’s work has clearly rubbed off on her family. Debi’s 8 year old son Dario attended a Diabetes UK network events at Sheffield Hallam University. Debi was so proud that her work has had a positive impact on her family when he wrote about diabetes in his own words: “Diabetes UK educate people help and find a solution. Doctors can try and find treatments, cures and support to help people with diabetes” (see full note below).
Debi was also recently on the guest list at Kirklees Mayoral dinner (see below), as Diabetes UK is one of two chosen charities for the coming year. Cllr Hussain said “I’m proud to have you on board Debi and really look forward to working with you”.
Debi said “It was an amazing event. I feel so honoured to represent Diabetes UK one of the Mayor’s two chosen charities alongside The Samaritans”.
Tracy Mundell, Debi’s manager was at the presentation. She said on the day “You must be so proud of yourself and of the work you are doing in the community with Diabetes awareness. Your boys have seen this and been involved too and they are such lovely boys of which you must be so proud, and it’s all down to you”.
_______________________________________________
Debi received her award at the latest CHFT black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) network meeting.
Almost two years on from setting up the network more than 40 colleagues attended, as did our special guest The Mayor of Kirklees Cllr Mumtaz Hussain.
The Mayor talked about the challenges he'd faced in his role as a councillor in encouraging local communities to engage with campaigns such as health awareness, and the group had some good ideas too. They're keen to get involved in spreading awareness and help improve access to healthcare services for our local BAME communities - so watch this space!
There was a real sense of achievement about how far the group had come, the opportunities on offer and how positive the whole group experience was.
You can read more about the BAME network and how to get involved here.
Next meeting: Wednesday, 25 September 2019 - 2:00 - 3:30 pm - Acre Mill Meeting Room 3, Third Floor, Acre Mills Outpatients HRI / Board Room CRH