Azook Named Innovative Business of the Year

The Plymouth University Vice-Chancellor’s Enterprise Awards have named Azook Community Interest Company 'Innovative Business of the Year 2012'.

One of over 250 companies nominated for the awards, the Azook team are delighted to have been recognised for their work. Director Claire White said, "When we started we knew that we had to create sustainable products rather than simply engaging projects. It is really rewarding to see communities benefiting from the products and services that we provide." She also paid tribute to the work of the unpaid volunteers and board members who have enabled Azook to carry out a wide range of community activities. 

Bernard Curren, manager of the university's innovation centres, said: "Azook is an example of what can be achieved when people are driven to make an idea succeed, it has been a privilege to work with Claire and the team through the difficulties of developing a viable commercial model which is now achieving real success. They were our first ever social enterprise client, and are truly inspirational in the way they have taken what was a public sector project and turned it into a commercial entity focused on their social ambitions making a tangible change in communities."

The University's Vice-Chancellor, Professor Wendy Purcell, said: "These awards are always very special, even more so this year as we celebrate our 150th anniversary as a higher education provider in the city."

The Azook team are looking forward to building on their success and will continue to find new and innovative ways to connect communities with their cultural heritage. 

To find out more about the awards visit www1.plymouth.ac.uk/vcawards

Volunteer Wins Regional Award

Azook volunteer and legendary broadcaster Ted Gundry has been recognised winner of the McCarthy & Stone Regional Retirement Awards. Regional head judge and operations director for McCarthy & Stone in the South West, Derek Field described the award, "As Britain's leader in retirement living, McCarthy & Stone really wanted to celebrate the often overlooked achievements of those aged over 60, many of whom contribute so much to both their local communities and our wider society as a whole".

Azook are delighted that Ted has received recognition for all his hard work. Ted has generously given of his time and expertise; hosting the Holman and Days of Clay archive film shows, recording community memories at memory shops and and editing audio recordings. He has also been busy sharing aspects of his own collection with schoolchildren across Cornwall through the Sense of Place Online Library and with the wider public through www.cornishmemory.com. The Azook office is always full of laughter when Ted is in the building and other volunteers learn a lot from working with him.

Having retired in 1999 after working 25 years for the BBC and despite spending so much time supporting the work of Azook, Ted still finds time to work with many other organisations. He is a very active Governor of Helston Community College, chairing the Personnel and Resources Committee and editing the College magazine. Ted is also President of the Helston St. John Ambulance Brigade, President of the Porthleven Gig Club, County Treasurer of the Cornish Pilot Gig Association and Chairman of the “Provider” project- a scheme to refurbish the last big fishing boat built in Porthleven.

Azook Launches New Volunteer and Training Scheme.

After the success of the first Community Grants Programme volunteer training scheme, we are very pleased to announce that we have been awarded further ESF funding to run a new programme from January – May 2012. 

The programme is offering new volunteers from a variety of backgrounds the opportunity to get involved with Azook activities including events, administration, research, sound editing film editing and more. 

If you are interested in finding out more, or know someone who might like to get involved please contact  heather@azook.org.uk

Azook Team Launch New ShelterBox Book

Azook Team Members Heather White and Claire White headed to The Reading Agency in London this month for the launch of the new ShelterBox book 'The Day The Rain Came'.

Claire and Heather co-authored the second storybook in the ShelterBox series which is designed to help young children explore different disasters and the impact they have on communities around the world.

The cover illustration for 'The Day The Rain Came' was designed by renowned illustrator, Michael Foreman who challenged schoolchildren from around the UK to provide illustrations for the book. The winning entrants attended the launch to see their work in print and receive their prize; a special illustration workshop with Michael Foreman.

All proceeds from the ShelterBox book go towards sending essential survival equipment to people affected by disasters. To support this fine cause and order the book please visit: www.shelterboxshop.org.uk/product/the-day-the-rain-came

Photograph by Phil Nichols

Azook receives recognition for Volunteer and Training Scheme

An Azook initiative has been identified as an exemplary project in a recent ESF publication. Between August 2010 and February 2011 Azook recruited volunteers to participate in an ESF funded Community Grant Scheme.

Volunteers from a variety of backgrounds received training and gained skills in administration, research, sound editing and film editing. All the volunteers have since moved on to further volunteering, learning or paid work.

The article can be found at: http://www.esf-works.com/projects/short-reviews/projects/402492