Three Riverside tenants have been commended at the Older Persons Awards for the work they do in their communities.

Margi and Ritchie Kelly, from Belle Vale, won joint first prize in the Outstanding Community Volunteer, and Joan Minard, from Childwall, picked up a special judges award.

The Older Persons Awards has been a joint initiative among housing associations and the City Council for a number of years, recognising the excellent work that is done in our communities by older people. 

Each year communities across Liverpool are asked to nominate older people who go that extra mile to help others.

The competition is supported by actor and comedian Ricky Tomlinson, who feels passionately about finding unsung heroes who go about their everyday lives trying to help and support other people. 

The winners received a certificate and £100 each, and the awards were presented by Gerard Woodhouse, Mayoral lead for older people in Liverpool.

• Joan Minard, from Childwall Estate Management Board, was shortlisted for the Most Effective Woman Board Member at the Women in Housing Awards. 

Although she didn’t win on the night – being pipped by Riverside’s own Group Board Member, Susan Jee – her colleagues were delighted to see that her contribution across four different boards has been recognised.

The awards, celebrating women in the housing sector, were attended by over 450 housing professionals, as well as Olympian Diane Modahl and guest speaker Katie Piper.