Haven Heroes

Celebrating Positive Male Role Models

Often the first place we learn about role models is in the home. There are currently hundreds of children living in refuges throughout the UK who have been exposed to abuse from a male family member, leaving children with very negative impressions of families and relationships. That's why earlier this year The Haven launched the ‘Haven Heroes’ campaign as a way of promoting positive male role models and wish to acknowledge those in Wolverhampton which we feel children, young people and adults can look up to.

The campaign encouraged members of the public to put forward the names of males who they believe have made a positive difference and/or act as an inspiration to the local community for The Haven Hero Community Award. On Thursday 21st July 2011 the first Haven Heroes Awards evening was held at Catellani’s restaurant in Wolverhampton attended by the final 4 Haven Hero Community Award nominees.

We are delighted to reveal that the winner of The Haven Hero Community Award is Jason Brimfield.

Jason is the Assistant Manager / Coach for Wyrley Junior Colts Under 10’s Football Team. Jason was nominated for this award by his friend and colleague Scott Lyons. Jason volunteers his free time to provide coaching and personal one to one support to young players and their families to deal with personal issues as well as improving their football skills.

Of the award winner Scott said:
“Jason is a very modest individual and spends hours outside of work supporting players and their families. Jason often spends large amounts of time providing one to one support to young players experiencing difficulties at home and teaches them to channel their frustration and anger about personal issues into playing football.”

Jason was chosen to receive this award by a panel of judges made up of Haven staff who felt that Jason’s commitment to providing a safe and supporting environment for young people to play sports, as well as an opportunity to talk through personal issues, meant that he was the perfect candidate for the title of Haven Hero.

Emma Reynolds MP presented Jason with his award as well as a very special message from some of his younger supporters.

Certificates were also given to The Haven Hero Community Award Runners up (from right to left; Gerald Thorne – Senior Partner at Thornes Solicitors, Lee Burton – News Broadcaster and Journalist at 107.7 The Wolf and Simon Hardiman – Watch Manager at Fallings Park Fire Station. We wish to thank all the nominees for their fantastic work in supporting their local communities and wish them all the best for the future.

The next award was The Haven Heroes Board of Trustees Award which was presented to Colin Brown – Co-founder of The Haven Wolverhampton. The Haven Board unanimously voted to give this award to Colin for this dedication and support of The Haven’s work over the last 35 years. Read more about Colin Brown here. We were honoured that Lord Bilston presented Colin with this award.

The final award of the evening was one that truly touched the hearts of The Haven. The Haven Hero Special Recognition Award was presented to Frederick Taylor by his daughter Abigail. Abigail experienced severe domestic abuse for over 9 years during which her father stood by and supported her throughout. But no matter how scared I was my dad was he always came up to save me. This award was created especially for Frederick recognising the contribution that a male individual has had on the life of someone who has experienced abuse. Read Abigail’s nomination in full here.

The Haven wishes to thank everyone who supported The Haven Heroes Campaign.

Details of the 2012 campaign will be available from April next year.