Nominations for Mayor's Pride of Dudley Award revealed

The public is now being asked to choose the winner of the Mayor’s Pride of Dudley Award from three people or groups the mayor feels have stood out to him from the hundreds of visits he has made across the borough during his year in office.

This year’s nominees are Mary Stevens Hospice in Stourbridge, the Retreat Café at St Francis’ Church in Dudley, and Halesowen counsellor and mental health campaigner Jon Mansell, with the three all vying for votes to claim the award.

‘The Mayor’s Award’ is one of seven gongs given out as part of the Mayor’s Ball and Civic Awards which will take place at The Copthorne Hotel in Brierley Hill on Friday, April 20.

Councillor Dave Tyler, the Mayor of Dudley, said: “We have three nominees this year, and each of these nominees has given wonderful service and is well respected throughout the borough.

“The first one is Mary Stevens Hospice. People will be aware of all the good work that they’ve done, and the support and compassion they have offered to many people over the generations.

“The second nominee is Jon Mansell, who has done sterling work in the field of mental health. He is not ashamed to say that he himself has suffered mental health issues, and he is a very good advocate for supporting people struggling with mental health.

“The third nominees are Retreat Café at St Francis Church in Dudley. This little group teach children from disability groups how to work in the catering industry, and they offer a wonderful service to that group as well as to the wider community.

“The public vote is now open, and I would urge people to get in touch and vote for their favourite. Whoever wins will be fully deserving of such an award, and I look forward to seeing the result on April 20.”

People can vote by visiting www.mayorofdudley.org.uk before the deadline closes on Friday, April 6.

Here's what the nominees have said about making the final three.

Stevan Jackson, chief executive officer at Mary Stevens Hospice.

“We’re supported by over 500 volunteers who have been working here since the hospice opened in 1991.

“We’re very grateful to them for the support they give us, and for the care that they provide to patients and their families.

“Without them, we wouldn’t be able to do as much as we do.

“We’re delighted to have been nominated for this award, and I look forward to seeing the results on the evening."

Jon Mansell.

“I’ve been blogging and vlogging with regards to my mental health issues over the years and helping people out as much as I can, round here and across the world.

“I’m very, very honoured to be nominated for this award by the Mayor of Dudley.

“I’ve had awards before, and whether I win, lose or draw, it’s always an honour to be nominated and I hope I’ll get your vote.”

John Barrett and Lorraine Robbins, of the Retreat Café.

“We started it around six years ago because we felt it was an opportunity to serve the community.

“We have young lads with us who have got learning disabilities. They are a great team, and without them we couldn’t do it.

“We are amazed at how well it has turned out, it’s a thriving place now for the whole community. We really are chuffed with how its expanded and the comments we get are overwhelming.

“We’re absolutely thrilled and amazed to be nominated, it was totally unexpected, so fingers crossed!”