The Big Society Award comes as the volunteers celebrate four years since they took over the shop. Since 2009 they have refitted the shop and organised a volunteer workforce of 50 people to run the business. It is open seven days a week, serving the needs of the community and raising significant profits that are re-invested back in to the community through over £18,000 worth of grants to local projects.
The Prime Minister David Cameron commented today:
“Humshaugh village captured the spirit of the big society when they were faced with the closure of their only village shop. Local people got together to keep this hub of community life open and four years on its still going strong. I’m delighted to be recognising the hard work and dedication of Humshaugh Community Ventures with this Big Society Award.”
Chairman of Humshaugh Community Ventures Dick Moules said:
“I am absolutely thrilled that the community of Humshaugh has been recognised with a Big Society Award. When we took over the village shop we never dreamt that it would lead to this. It is thanks to the many volunteers giving a few hours a week that we are able to support a wide variety of village groups and individuals. This award recognises their hard work and dedication and makes it even more worthwhile.”
If you have not visited you have to go: www.humshaughshop.co.uk
The annual profit from the Humshaugh Shop aims to assist groups, organisations and individual residents of Humshaugh of any age to undertake projects that benefit the community through grants. Grants can also be made to organisations outside of the village that undertake projects which will benefit the Humshaugh Community.
Heating Oil
Since November 2011 Humshaugh Community Ventures runs an oil buying group. There are now 165 members covering households within a five mile radius of Humshaugh saving members a total of over £18,000 each year.
Electric Car
From November 2012 to May 2013 Humshaugh Community Ventures Ltd. leased an electric car to the village as a trial. The trial proved a success and they are now exploring how to purchase/lease another.
The Big Society Awards were set up by the Prime Minister in November 2010. The aim is to acknowledge individuals and organisations across the UK that demonstrates the Big Society in their work or activities. In so doing, the aim is also to galvanise others to follow.
The award focuses upon three specific areas:
Outstanding Contribution to Community
- People, projects and organisations that enable communities to drive change themselves
- Projects and organisations that allow the community to identify solutions
- People, projects and organisations that inspire others to contribute to their community
Improving Lives and Society through Innovation, Collaboration and New Partnerships
- People and organisations taking new approaches to public services
- Successful collaboration and partnerships between public, private and voluntary sector - working together to benefit communities
Engaging in Social Action
- People, projects and organisations taking action in their community
- Working together for social change (e.g. through creating groups, campaigns, movements)
- Generosity of time, money, skills and other resources – in support of social action
