Brenda Robinson
Blyth, Northumberland

Cowpen Quay Community Association provides recreational, social and educational activities for the local community.

Brenda’s involvement with Cowpen Quay Community Association started back in 1980 when she started doing voluntary work at their youth club at the Buffalo Community Centre. She quickly developed a real affinity for the centre, an old coaching inn, and was soon elected to the Management Committee.

Just over 30 years later Brenda, who is a Lecturer in Business and Administration at Northumberland College, is the organisation’s Secretary, Treasurer and is also a Trustee. Described by a colleague as the “backbone of the organisation, without whom the association would have folded years ago”, Brenda provides the essential administrative and leadership support required to keep the centre moving forward.

Through the efforts of Brenda and a small, but dedicated, team of other community minded people, the association is providing recreational, social and educational activities for young and old, in one of the most deprived communities in the country.

During Brenda’s tenure, the centre has been renovated with new facilities such as a computer suite, refurbished function halls and improved accessibility for people with disabilities. Over 10,000 people use the centre every year, and it’s become a real focal point for community activity. There are plans to expand the centre further to include a dedicated space for youth activities and Brenda, with the help of her team, is currently looking into funding sources for this development.

Commenting on her Services to the Community Award, Brenda said: “I’m really proud to have won this award, but I’m dedicating it to the exceptional team behind the association, without whom none of what we’ve achieved would have happened. For the centre to have kept going for 37 years is a great achievement and shows how much the community value it and identify with it.”

Explaining the judges’ decision to present Brenda the award to Brenda, Julie Wilkes the Chief Executive of Skills-Third Sector said: “Brenda’s hard work and personal commitment shine through as a lovely example of community spirit and enterprise. Her encouragement of others and involving young people in the future of the centre is particularly commendable. She has clearly made an enormous difference to the standard of facilities for all to enjoy for years to come.”