COMMUNITY AWARDS: Organisations championing community recognised

Last year’s award winners were certainly worthy, as a specialist team set up in April 2012 and based at Horsham Hospital were recognised for their efforts.

The Community Neurological Rehabilitation Team North (CNRTN) supports people with neurological conditions, and team leader Viv Cooper told the County Times earlier this year that being awarded was ‘lovely’.

She said: “It was a lovely surprise and couldn’t have come at a better time.

“To have gained the award and had so many letters and words of support from patients is really great - it’s hard to find a word to describe it.”

The audience at the Capitol last November heard an emotional tribute from Nigel Calder, who nominated the CNRTN for the ‘super-dooper’ assistance they had provided for his wife Elizabeth since she suffered a stroke last July.

The emotional recognition brought tears to many of the team’s eyes on stage.

Viv added: “Before we existed there was no specialist neurological rehab provision at all for the Horsham, Crawley and Mid Sussex area.

“We just want to let people know we’re out there. If they feel that it’s something they think would be of benefit they can speak to their GP and get referred to our team.”

The CNRTN help with communication, swallowing food or drink, pain or weakness in joints or muscles, coping with everyday tasks, coping emotionally and acceptance of change, understanding memory and behaviour changes and energy management.

DO YOU KNOW A PERSON OR GROUP DESERVING OF A COMMUNITY AWARD? SEE TOMORROW’S (THURSDAY) COUNTY TIMES FOR NOMINATION DETAILS.