UK Parliament Plays Host to Streetwise Local Heroes  

On a recent warm summer evening, Gladys and Denis Phillips of Broadstone attended the fifth annual Heroes Tea Party at the House of Commons where more than 60 MP’s from across the country attended to present their nominated Heroes with signed certificates of recognition. The event, organised by the Home Office’s Experience Corps, was to celebrate the achievements of older volunteers in their local community, casting the spotlight of praise onto those who operate silently and selflessly in many of the quietest corners of the UK.
 
Sir John Butterfill MP Bournemouth West and Streetwise Trustee nominated Gladys and Denis to receive their award and said “Streetwise is a charity operating within my constituency and I was delighted to have the opportunity to formally recognise the outstanding and generous contribution Denis and Gladys have made to life at Streetwise and to the children and families in our Dorset communities."  
 
Alison Curtis, Streetwise Manager said “Gladys and Denis are a permanent fixture at Streetwise – in fact Denis was our first ever volunteer Safety Guide back when the centre opened in 1998.
 
Together they have quietly given invaluable support to the operation of the centre much of it in the background such as preparing over 13,000 safety information packs a year for visiting children to take away with them, helping out at events and generally volunteering willing hands to anything asked of them.”
 
Denis and Gladys travelled up to London first class, courtesy of South West Trains, with Alison Curtis and Pete Isaacs from Streetwise and met up with their constituency MP Annette Brooke  (Mid Dorset and Poole North). Annette treated them to lunch in the MPs Dining Room at the House of Commons and a personal tour of the building including the House of Commons and House of Lords. Annette Brooke says “I have been acquainted with Streetwise from its first beginnings and seen it go from strength to strength. Denis and Gladys have made an outstanding voluntary contribution to its great success and also have contributed greatly to safety their own and my community in Broadstone.”
 
Scores of Local Heroes and MPs made their way to the riverside balcony that was to act as the backdrop to the event where certificates were presented. Maggie Semple, CEO of The Experience Corps, paid tribute to the Heroes present, noting that for every ‘Hero’ attending, there were hundreds of others across the country. She added “Indeed, most do so with no other reward than that of knowing they are making people’s lives better. That is perhaps, however, the greatest reward of all.”
 
Denis and Gladys said “We had a wonderful day in London and really appreciated everything that Streetwise and all concerned did for us. We look upon Streetwise as our extended family and
volunteering there is a chance for us to give something back to the children and families in the community.”
 
Due to the high volume of school groups that come in throughout the week, Streetwise is looking for still more volunteers to guide smaller groups of around six children around the site, helping them to discover how to keep safe and what to do in an emergency. Just a few hours a month has
the potential to save a life; it can make a real difference to children in Dorset.  Volunteers don’t even have to commit to a regular slot, just book in at their convenience.
 
For a 'no obligation' chat about volunteering at Streetwise contact the safety centre on 01202 591330 and ask for Pete Isaacs or email him on