News & Events

Groundswell volunteer wins Civic Award

Jimmy with the Mayor, Councillor Barbara Smith

Long-term Groundswell volunteer Jimmy Carlson received a Civic Award from the Mayor of Islington at a special award ceremony in March.  The Mayor, Councillor Barbara Smith, described Jimmy and the other nine award winners as "unsung heroes in our society who have gone that extra mile and really deserve to be recognised for the positive contribution they have made to Islington."

Speaking to the Islington Gazette after the ceremony at Finsbury Town Hall, Jimmy said: "It has been a very difficult journey with many ups and downs, but at times like this it makes it all worth it."  Jimmy has been a regular and extremely valued volunteer at Groundswell since its inception in 1996, and undertakes client involvement training on our behalf.  In 2003 Jimmy and two colleagues co-founded the Haven Club, which provides a safe social space for those in recovery from alcohol and drugs.  Jimmy is now chair of the Haven Club, as well as of Islington Clients of Drug and Alcohol Services.  We are very pleased that the unique and impressive work Jimmy has done has been publicly recognised by the Mayor of Islington, and we congratulate him on his much-deserved award.

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