Tina Townsend, the founder and leader of The Witham Hub, has been named as a recipient of a British Citizen's Award, a prestigious national honour recognising her exceptional work helping vulnerable people in Witham and the surrounding areas in Essex.
Award Ceremony at Palace of Westminster
The accolade will be presented at a special ceremony inside the Palace of Westminster later this month. The national awards programme, held twice a year, celebrates ordinary people who make extraordinary contributions to society. Independent judges assess every nomination to ensure the most deserving volunteers across the country are publicised.
Personal Motivation and Growth of The Witham Hub
Townsend was inspired to help others after surviving two life-threatening strokes more than 20 years ago. That personal experience motivated her to create a safe space where residents could access vital advice and care. Under her leadership, the local centre has grown from a small grassroots project into a major lifeline for families. The hub provides food packages, mental health groups, and direct support for people facing homelessness or domestic abuse.
Installation of Defibrillators and Expansion Plans
She has also coordinated the installation of 18 life-saving defibrillators across Witham, Braintree, Hatfield Peverel, and Colchester. Her team is currently planning to expand their services further to reach even more residents this year.
Colleagues Express Delight
Colleagues and fellow volunteers have expressed their delight at the news of her upcoming trip to London. Ian Boorman, a trustee at the charity, commented: "We are immensely proud of Tina for winning this richly deserved Award. It recognises the tremendous contribution she has made to the community of Witham. Our Town is a much better place because of Tina’s magnificent, proactive efforts over many years."
Recognition of Team Effort
The presentation ceremony in parliament will also be followed by a traditional open-top bus tour around famous Westminster landmarks. The community leader insisted that the honour reflects the hard work of everyone involved in the project. Tina added: "I am humbled to receive this Award. I take tremendous pleasure in helping people in my community and I have built a team around me that has worked hard to develop The Witham Hub and all that it does. I see this Award as being a recognition of their efforts as well as my own."
She also continues to give up her spare time to volunteer for the local police and fire services. For more information about the charity and its local projects, visit The Witham Hub.
