'No Barriers' The Mike Oborski Awards

The 2011 ‘No Barriers Awards’

The Fourth annual Wyre Forest ‘No Barriers’ awards ceremony was held in Stourport on Severn on Friday 21^st October. The event celebrated the significant contribution made by individuals, businesses and organisations to improving access, service or employment possibilities for people with disabilities.

The awards were set up in memory of long-standing District and County Councillor Mike Oborski, who sadly passed away in 2007.  Mike initiated the project based on a similar scheme in Poland.

Representatives from a number of community organisations were on the panel that considered the nominations which were submitted from residents and businesses across the district.

The No Barriers Mike Oborski Awards 2011 went to Stourport Riding Centre, The Staff at Marks and Spencer’s Café, Long Bank Charity Garden Centre, Spokes (part of the Emily Jordan Foundation), Chester Road Sports and Social Club, Angus Hoare from Wharton Park Golf Club, Craig Darby from Beacon Employment and Anthony Goldsmith for the work he has done to fundraise for forces veterans in the area.

The evening featured a welcome by Ray Brookes of The Community Housing Group who hosted the event, an introduction by Councillor Howard Martin and a personal perspective from Councillor Fran Oborski who commented that "Mike would have been particularly proud and delighted to see organisations such as Marks and Spencer's Cafe and Wharton Park Golf Club receiving these Awards because his particular wish was to acknowledge those businesses and organisations, set up to serve the wider community, who go the "extra mile" to ensure that their services also welcome those with any form of disability."

The guest speaker was Sir William Lawrence who himself campaigns for improvements in access for people with disabilities and is a former Chairman of the Heart of England Tourist Board.

The awards were presented by Councillor Stephen Clee, Chairman of Wyre Forest District Council with Lucy Bennett, Manager of the Wyre Forest Matters Partnership. Councillor Clee stated that "the event was my first to attend in memory of the late Mike Oborski and I was immensely impressed with all the winners. It truly is a gratifying evening when your organisation or employers strive that little bit more to put themselves out to support people in our community that cannot access services we all take for granted. I knew Mike Oborski; if he was here he would be very proud of the work being done in Wyre Forest to make the public accessibility open for all"