Who is your Camden hero?
A COMMUNITY awards scheme that recognises those people who give up a large amount or their time to
make Camden a better place was launched on Monday 11 February 2008 with nominations open until 4 April 2008.
Camden is a great place to live, work and visit; a great deal of this is due to its people. Amongst them are some truly exceptional individuals – ‘Camden heroes’ who voluntarily give up a large amount of their own time in order to help others and make our borough a better place.
Many people agree that these truly exceptional and committed people should be recognised for all their remarkable work.
The EPIC (Exceptional People in Camden) awards are about these special people, seeking to celebrate their exceptional, committed and heroic work.
They might have improved youth facilities in their local area, cared for their local environment or gone out of their way to care for elderly neighbours.
Anyone who lives or works in the borough can vote for their Camden hero by nominating them for one of the eight categories.
Not only do the winners receive some fantastic prizes (including cinema tickets and a return Eurostar trip to Paris) but as an added bonus, as nominator, they will be entered into a prize draw with the chance of winning £200 shopping vouchers.
2006 EPICs winner Nye Roose-McClew said: “The EPICs are a brilliant scheme as they recognise the selfless work that people in Camden do. There are too many unsung heroes that have such a positive presence in their community and deserve to be celebrated. The EPICs does exactly this so get nominating!”
Preparations for the glitzy awards ceremony on 4 June are well underway and the venue has been confirmed as well-known Koko in Camden Town.
In 2006 more than 250 people, including 40 shortlisted nominees, attended a fantastic awards evening, complete with drinks reception and three course meal. The winners received their prizes from top Paralympics athlete Ade Adepitan, actor Griff Rhys Jones, and Anna Hemmings, Britain’s leading female marathon canoeist. And this year’s ceremony promises to be even better with top celebrities lined up to host the event.
For a full list of the different award categories and to pick up a nomination form you can:
- Visit the Council website at www.camden.gov.uk/epics.
- Pick up a form from any Camden leisure centre, library or council office or the Ham and High’s offices in Swiss Cottage.
- Email epics@camden.gov.uk
- Phone 020 7974 5717.
Nominations close on 4 April.
PREVIOUS WINNERS OF 2007
Exceptional young person
 Do you know a young person who makes an exceptional contribution to improving their local community?
Previous EPICs winner Nye Roose-McClew won this category for her work as a peer motivator, helping and advising young people. Nye also helped those around her, at school and in her community, particularly in drama projects and on Camden’s Summer University courses.
Exceptional work with young people
 Do you know someone who has made an exceptional contribution to improving their local community by working with young people?
Previous EPICs winner Abdi Arsche won this category for his work with young Camden residents, particularly amongst the Somali community. This included managing community projects, fundraising, and supporting the development of football teams and holiday programmes.
Exceptional contribution to the local environment
 Do you know someone who has made an exceptional contribution to improving their local community by making it cleaner and greener?
Previous EPICs winner John Walsh won this category for his work to improve Camden’s local environment. He acted as Camden’s representative for the London Wildlife Trust and devoted much of his spare time to work at Adelaide Nature Reserve, running events, volunteer days and fundraising.
 Do you know someone who has made an exceptional contribution by developing sport and leisure in Camden?
Previous EPICs winner Martin Toogood won this category for his work coaching football to Camden’s young people at Hampstead FC. He has held every position at the club and watched it grow substantially, with hundreds of young people benefitting from his enthusiasm and dedication.
Do you know someone who has made an exceptional contribution by developing arts and culture in Camden?
Previous EPICs winner Drew Jensen won this category for his work in establishing Upbeat, a pioneering local project for volunteers which promotes mental well-being through music.
Do you know someone who has made an exceptional contribution by helping to make Camden a safer place to live?
Previous EPICs winner Beverly Gardner won this category for her work as chair of her estate’s tenants association, and in particular her work in successfully tackling drug dealing on her estate.
Do you know someone who has made an exceptional contribution by caring for another?
Previous EPICs winner Michael Stratton won this category for his outstanding care of his neighbours, from caring for elderly people at home and visiting them in hospital, to running the London Mobile Christmas Service for the homeless.
Do you know someone over 60 who has made an exceptional contribution to helping the community?
Previous EPICs winner Wendy Munro won this category for her voluntary work with many community organisations, including Caversham older persons organisation, Camden pensioners action group, Caversham neighbourhood partnership and Kentish Town community centre.
Don’t forget
The judges will base their decisions on the following criteria:
- Exceptional Has the person done more than you would expect anyone to do for the community?
- Commitment Has the person shown a long-term commitment to improving the community?
- Hero Has the act(s) carried out by the person had a significant impact on the community?
Read more about Camden’s amazing previous EPICs winners on our website camden.gov.uk/epics |