A charity worker has been recognised for making a difference to Holbeach and South Holland.
Sam Collins, manager of local charity Tonic Health’s Holbeach Hub, is to be given a Make A Difference award from the BBC.
The Hub hosts a vast array of groups and sessions that aim to provide help in the community.
Sam was nominated by Serena Watts whose 10-year-old grandson Danny has severe ADHD.
“Danny experienced a lot of trauma before he moved in with me six years ago and was a quiet child who lacked confidence,” Serena said. “He struggled to read social cues and interact with others, and he was scared to try new things because he risk assesses everything.
“Sam makes Danny feel special, and this little boy who was scared to be away from my side began to look forward to attending Tonic Health and later youth club.
“He tried new activities, was supported to build connections with others and now Danny is so much more confident in trying new things and mixing with others at the Hub and this confidence has spilled out to other social situations.
“Sam genuinely cares about the local community and dedicates a lot of his time thinking about and planning activities to meet those with varying needs.
“He is one in a million and I’m so grateful for the difference he has made to Danny and other vulnerable people in our local community.”
Sam will be presented with his award at a special ceremony at Bomber Command in Lincoln in September.
“It was a massive surprise to learn about the award and I got quite emotional,” he said. “It’s been amazing to see Danny’s progress in the last few years.”
He has been working at the role for just under three years and previously worked in the theatre industry and as a teacher.
But for the COVID-19 lockdowns he might have been working at Disneyland in Paris.
But as it the Gedney man volunteered at the Holbeach Hub and it has grown from there.
“For me the best thing about working here is just the sheer variety of people who come through the door,” Sam said. “We get everyone from seven-year-olds to 90-year-olds.
“They all have different abilities and different needs.
“Because we have so many groups going on there’s something different every day.
“It’s always nice to see people who have needed advice get it, or benefit from one of the many support groups we put on.”
