“SUPERHUMAN” volunteers Rosie Brady and Tricia Griffiths co-founded Coventry Resource Centre for the Blind 10 years ago – today they have been awarded a British Empire Medal in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.
The devoted pair have worked tirelessly to bring the centre in Earlsdon Avenue South, Earlsdon to the point where it is a major pole in the support services available to visually impaired people across the city.
In April 2010, they walked into an empty building with little furniture and no money. With the support of volunteers and in due course staff have provided an ever-increasing range of activities and services.
“Rosie and Tricia have been at the soul and centre of the charity since the start,” said Hugh Sorrill, general manager . “Through sheer hard work, superhuman abilities of persuasion and a deep connection to the cause of supporting people with low or no sight, the charity has grown, is stable and doing more than even they thought possible at the beginning.
“I can honestly think of no-one more deserving of this recognition. We are all so pleased for them and of course extremely proud of them.”
Chair of Trustees Rosie, who is 80-years old and been registered blind since 2008, said: “I am very honoured. It’s been 10 years since we both started here and the centre has grown year-on-year improving services for people who are blind living in isolation – and they love coming to the centre.
“We have around 120 people who normally visit every week to attend our groups – we have computer classes, a creative writing group, a lunch club, yoga and an allotment. ”
Although the current pandemic has meant the centre has been closed, volunteers – including Rosie and Tricia – have been providing telephone support, some groups and classes online and a talking book and outreach service. The centre hopes to start re-opening to groups in the new year
In 2018, Rosie and Tricia alongside the other volunteers were given the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service – the UK’s highest honour for charity organisations. Rosie also received a Woman Achievement Award in 2011 and Pride of Coventry and Warwickshire Award in 2012.
The pair were among 36 people from across the West Midlands named in The Queen’s Birthday Honours List. Each year The Queen recognises the extraordinary achievements of people from all walks of life and all ages, within local communities.
This year’s list also includes special mention of those who went above and beyond during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Lord-Lieutenant of the West Midlands, John Crabtree OBE said: “Making up the fabric of the West Midlands are some amazing people whose stamina, ambitions and work quietly deliver a better, brighter and kinder place. These people with big hearts are often known within their neighbourhoods but fail to gain the wider credit they deserve and never has this been more prevalent than during the recent Covid crisis.”
