We’re proud to introduce you to the winners of the Wrexham Recognition Awards from February to April 2025.
The Wrexham Recognition Awards Competition for 2024-2025 are bigger and better than ever! It’s easy to apply or nominate somebody. Just consider whether they have a talent or make a difference in people’s lives or the local community.
Contact them on Facebook or Instagram, @fjonesinit on X or email [email protected] with a name, and they’ll do the rest.
SWS (Standards of Wrexham Services)
The Standards of Wrexham Services are a group of adults with lived experience of disabilities who volunteer their time to work with Wrexham County Borough Council’s Person-Centred Planning Department to improve the services that people receive within the Wrexham area.
They run the Wrexham Safe Places scheme, which involves local businesses joining, displaying a sticker in their window and offering assistance to vulnerable adults and children if they feel anxious when accessing the community.
The SWS Group also runs a technology drop-in session every Thursday afternoon at the Wellbeing Hub, where they help people learn to use various types of technology, including apps, Alexa devices, emails, tablets, Ring doorbells, laptops, and more. They also help run The Friendship Hub, an inclusive group that meet to plan various activities together, such as trips to the zoo, weekly bowling sessions, community walks, and meals out.
The SWS Group organise inclusive events, such as the recent Silent Disco and Low Noise Firework Display, to ensure that people of all abilities are able to attend events.
Laura Evison
Not only does Laura run Regent House of Flowers, she also paints landscapes, which are then raffled, with the proceeds going to The Brecon Beacons Mountain Rescue Charity and the Soldiers’, Sailors’ & Airmen’s Families Association (SSAFA).
Laura started painting during Covid after her partner took his own life after suffering from mental health problems. She paints the walks that she and her partner used to do. Her partner was a veteran, which is why some of the proceeds go to SSAFA, the Armed Forces Charity.
Laura had also donated to another charity when she broke her ankle in three places on the Snowdonia Mountain Range while out rambling with the Walk About Women Group. As she sat in a gulley waiting for the Aberglaslyn Mountain Rescue helicopter to arrive, Laura took in the view, including the Mountain Rescue Team. This picture raised £735 for the Aberglaslyn Mountain Rescue Centre.
Gemma Oakley
The recipient of various nominations, Gemma Oakley has transformed her life after a challenging childhood. Gemma has helped people in similar situations to her own, teaching them how to sew. Her Wrexham Sewing Studio offers expert advice and provides alterations on garments at affordable prices. She has raised nearly £2,000 running charity bingos.
Many nominations have come in for Gemma, telling us how she has completely transformed her life and is a true inspiration to all that change is possible. Ms Oakley goes above and beyond for everyone.
She has raised nearly £2,000 running charity bingos and a race night to buy a special buggy and car seat for a disabled child. Gemma created a memory unicorn for a premature baby girl. She holds sewing classes for kids and volunteers frequently to help the community. During prom week, she altered many dresses. She made handmade clothes for children, as well as community bunting and cushion covers, and created opportunities for younger people, teaching them how to sew.
Chariotts
Chariotts was established in 1995 to assist people who have difficulty using public transport. They provide specialist transport to Wrexham residents who have difficulty accessing the usual modes of transport due to mobility or sensory issues.
The organisation started with three vehicles and gradually increased to nine just before the COVID-19 pandemic. After Covid, the number of vehicles decreased to seven.
There are two full-time staff members and 20 volunteer drivers who volunteer to drive one or two days per week. All vehicles are wheelchair accessible. Without Chariotts, many of their clients would struggle to attend hospital and GP appointments, go grocery shopping, attend respite and activity events, or social events.
Chariotts are always looking for volunteer drivers. Please contact the team on 01978 312 888 if you are interested in getting involved.
Jamie Jenkins
Jamie has been nominated for the exceptional and tireless work he has done with the “Dance for Parkinson’s Initiative,” which he founded. This inspiring program takes place weekly at Wrexham Coleg Cambria. Jamie designs and leads engaging sessions that enhance cognitive skills, improve mobility and overall well-being. This class is far more than just an exercise session – it’s a lively community where individuals battling Parkinson’s can connect and share their journeys.
The participants are aged between 35 and 93, living with or having been affected by Parkinson’s Disease in some way. Professional musician Helen Parri accompanies the classes and provides live music for the sessions.
Karl Jackson
Karl is the Assistant Principal at Coleg Cambria and the site lead at the Bersham campus. Mr Jackson organises at least two charity events each year and gets involved in many local projects.
This year, in March, Karl tackled the Yorkshire Three Peaks and a 15km biking challenge up Cadair Idris, followed by a trip to one of the lakes.
Past challenges have raised thousands for various charities. In 2018, Karl and some of the team at Bersham Road completed the Three Peaks Challenge, raising £1,255 for the NSPCC. In 2020, they completed the Crazy Seven in Scotland and raised £1,462 for the British Heart Foundation. The Coleg Cambria team also climbed the Welsh Three Peaks and raised £3,240 for Stepping Stones.
In 2023, the Bersham Road group completed the Welsh Three Peaks and raised £800 for The Menstrual Health Project. In 2024, Karl joined forces with the army, raising money for the Welsh Walker for ex-vets. Karl joined forces with his friend Carl Roberts and raised £1,925 for Hop House/Tŷ Gobaith on the Skye is the Limit Challenge.
The Bersham Road Group also raised £1,235 in 2024 for Dementia UK as part of the Bigger Boat Challenge.
Repair Café
The Repair Café started two and a half years ago, in June 2022. It first appeared at Yab in Henblas Street, as Pete Humphreys was the only person to say yes, and has now moved to the Caia Park Partnership, where they also have use of the café for teas, coffees and cakes.
The inspiration behind the Repair Café was to help mitigate climate change by taking tangible action that yields tangible results, encouraging people to repair and reuse.
The volunteers repair anything. You can sit with them and chat about what they are doing. While the volunteers are repairing the item, the customer can purchase the necessary part and then return it within two hours or by the end of the following month.
David Walker
David used to run occasionally, participating in a few half-marathons, but nothing seriously. In May 2013, his wife Jacqui was diagnosed with breast cancer a couple of days after completing the Chester half-marathon. It seemed right that he enter his first full marathon, and in October 2013, he completed the Chester Marathon, raising nearly £6,000 for Breast Cancer awareness.
Sadly, his wife passed away in September 2014. After a few years of not wanting to do much and receiving advice to stop running due to early signs of arthritis, he started walking. In June 2019, he was part of a group of six who took on the National Three Peaks challenge, raising £5,000 for Nightingale House. He then signed up to take on Kilimanjaro for the hospice and raised £12,000 for them. As a group of 23, they raised over £120,000.
On Monday, 25th November, he returned home, having completed the Everest Base Camp challenge. At the time of writing, his group was just a few thousand pounds short of their £50,000 target.
We hope you enjoyed reading “Wrexham Recognition Awards February to April 2025”. Click here for more of our stories about the Wrexham Recognition Awards.
