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Community Champions Announced
Congratulations to local volunteers Brian and Janneke Johnson, who have been chosen by Oswestry Town Mayor, Councillor Olly Rose, as the first ‘Community Champions’ of the new Civic Year.
Both Brian and Janneke Johnson had been nominated due to their many activities helping those with learning disabilities in the community. They have helped to run the Special Olympics for the past 12 years, providing sporting opportunities such as athletics, badminton, boccia, swimming and table tennis. Brian and Janneke commented. “We help to provide training sessions on Monday and Wednesday evenings, and it is so rewarding to see our athletes enjoy themselves and improve their sporting skills.”
Brian and Janneke are also involved with ‘Allsorts,’ a monthly social gathering for those with learning disabilities and recently held a games evening, treasure hunt and craft workshop and have a barbeque and campfire event coming up later this summer.
Brian and Janneke are part of the Hope Church, which has recently opened new premises in the heart of Oswestry’s town centre and run a ‘Prospects’ meeting twice a month for people with additional needs. During these meetings, the group considers how bible stories can relate to their daily lives and they learn Makaton which is a unique language programme that uses symbols, signs, and speech to enable people to communicate. Makaton is then used during church services to help those with disabilities or learning difficulties to become more involved.
And if all that was not enough, Brian and Janneke have been involved in a lunch club providing an exercise session and a two-course lunch for the elderly every Tuesday during term-time. Brian will even deliver lunch to those that cannot attend, which became especially important during the difficult Covid period, when members had to remain at home.
In their spare time, the pair help with local Mencap ACE drama group by providing refreshments at their performances and Janneke is one of our local ‘fixperts’ at the Oswestry Repair Café.
Oswestry Town Council would like to thank both Brian and Janneke for their hard work and
dedication in all that they do – true Community Champions.
