Stuart Slater and Robert Thacker win our 2025 Community Star Awards

The Society’s Community Star Award winners were announced following our 155^th Annual General Meeting at Portland College on 28 April.

We received many nominations for our Community Star and Environmental Star Awards. The quality and quantity of entries highlighted just how many phenomenal volunteers dedicate their time to benefit our local communities in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire.

The Community Star Award went to Stuart Slater. Stuart has volunteered for St. John’s Ambulance in Derbyshire for 55 years as a First Aider. On top of his long-term commitment, he has also taken on several senior roles, committing an outstanding amount of his spare time and working around his full-time job and family to help keep the local people of Derbyshire safe and well.

The nomination for Stuart detailed just how much he puts into his work with the First Aid Charity, and notably how he has embraced the many changes over the years with commitment and enthusiasm. Taking on the role as Area Manager, Stuart has been responsible for cadet first aider units (ranging from 5 to 18 year olds) to help develop the essential next generation.

Elspin Chapman, nominee for Stuart, commented:

“The motto of the St Johns Ambulance translates as ‘For the faith and in the service of humanity’ and Stuart’s 55 years of service exemplifies that. Portable defibrillators were unheard of when Stuart started volunteering, but now all our volunteers can use the device and Stuart has assessed hundreds of them, allowing those volunteers to save even more lives.

When COVID 19 came, Stuart worked tirelessly throughout, packing educational resources for trainers, volunteer vaccinators and patient advocates. Stuart’s resilience knows no bounds.”

Returning for a second year, the Society’s Environmental Star Award was presented to Robert (Bob) Thacker.

Robert was nominated for his dedication to Mansfield Woodhouse Millennium Green Trust since its relaunch in 2013. Robert took on the role of Trustee and Treasurer on top of labouring to install pathways, benches, a community orchard and wildflower meadows. He has also developed a 5-year grassland management and development plan.

Caroline Ellis, nominee for Robert explained:

“Bob is the font of all knowledge about The Green. He works tirelessly to organise the volunteers and manage the plan of work that needs to be done to maintain it as an asset for the local community.”

Also receiving Highly Commended recognition on the evening were the team at Hetty’s, a charity in Mansfield Woodhouse that supports families affected by a loved one’s alcohol or drug abuse; and Sophie Colclough from S.E.Nsational Minds Playgroup for disabled children in Mansfield.

Paul Wheeler, Society Chief Executive, concluded:

“Stuart and Robert, demonstrate the very essence of Community and Environmental Stars. So many amongst our community volunteer their time selflessly, making it exceptionally difficult to pick between the 30+ nominations. However, this year’s winners stood out from the crowd with their remarkable contributions.

As a local building society, we’re incredibly honoured to be recognising these people and the terrific work they do.”