1V WOMAN OF THE YEAR 2024
WINNER Agnieszka Kwiecien
Agnieszka Kwiecien was crowned the winner of the 1V Woman of the Year 2024 at the 1V Awards Dinner, sponsored by The Catering Co. Group.
Agnieszka is an interpreter for the Polish community, but she is also a community integration advocate in Blackburn and Darwen. Agnieszka works with organisations to help raise awareness of important health and well-being issues. She is a voice for those who struggle to find their feet. She is a spearhead for encouraging people to work collaboratively, for example learning Urdu and Arabic to effectively communicate with the south Asian and Arab communities. Agnieszka works collaboratively with many organisations in their work to promote various health issues the town is facing. Agnieszka was overwhelmed at receiving the award and said “I am so incredibly humbled to have won this prestigious award, it means so much. I would like to thank One Voice Blackburn as because of them the voice of the Polish and BAME community can be heard.”
THE FINALISTS
Shanaz Hussain
Shanaz is the Headteacher at Blackburn Central High School where she has prioritised forging strong links with the local community and making the school a welcoming and inclusive learning environment for every child.
An Ofsted inspection in 2023 highlighted the school’s approach of diversity and inclusivity making it a huge strength of Shanaz’s work. In addition to this, the school has been officially recognized for their ongoing commitment to improving the life chances of our children and working relentlessly towards community cohesion by the Ministry for Housing, Communities, and Local Government (MHCLG), The Trussell Trust, BBC, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council.
Shanaz is grateful for her position as it enables her to make a positive difference to the lives of so many families.
As Headteacher, Shanaz is constantly ensuring that the school remains at the forefront of social issues that affect the community and ensures that each child and family is given the attention and respect that they deserve.
Agnieszka Kwiecien
Agnieszka is an interpreter for the Polish community, but she is also a community integration advocate in Blackburn and Darwen. She has made Blackburn her home and has worked with all communities to better understand how the town works. Agnieszka works with various organisations to help raise awareness on important health and well-being issues. She is a voice for those who are often unheard and struggle to find their feet. She is a spearhead for encouraging people to work collaboratively, for example learning Urdu and Arabic to effectively communicate with the south Asian and Arab communities.
Agnieszka works collaboratively with many organisations in their work to promote various health issues the town is facing. After a near drowning incident, she decided to give back to the community by running 310 miles and raising money for the Canal and River Trust, after the advice of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) saved her life.
Vicky McGurk
Vicky McGurk has been working in a voluntary capacity for over 20 years within the Borough. She supports many vulnerable people in the community. She has worked to rehome individuals, supported young people to secure volunteering roles and helped individuals by signposting them to other groups and services to help them in their difficulties.
As well as being a senior civil servant, for the Department of Health and an elected Councillor, Vicky assists over ten people a week across the Borough in accessing the right benefits or successfully appeal against adverse decisions. She also helps members of the community with CV writing, job searching, visa and Home Office support. She is particularly proud of suppoting a number of individuals going though rehabilitation due to abuse of drugs, alcohol, gambling, or domestic violence. Vicky has also helped many refugee families, making sure they are safe and well looked after. She is an advocate for resilience and equal opportunity for all.
Salma Saleh
Salma Saleh works as a support worker at Humraaz specialist service provider. The service creates safe spaces for females to overcome barriers which affect their physical, mental, and emotional development. She has devoted her professional life in making a difference to the lives of women and children who have fled domestic violence. The journey began with a genuine passion for establishing a safe haven for those in desperate need of refuge and support. Her work and commitment to other women is inspirational, she faces difficult, and tough challenges every day.
Salma works with black and minoritised women to transform complex lives and situations from unbearable to possible. Her holistic support for women and children equips them to make sustainable changes in their lives for the better and their appreciation and recognition of her support stays long after they have moved on to thrive. Salma has secured a secondment as a Community Development Officer with Idle Women. Idle Women is an arts and social justice project that creates vibrant and adventurous spaces for women and children.
The 1V Woman of the Year should be a role model for the whole community.
She must demonstrate a series of activities or programmes which have made a real difference in her community, and the wider area of Blackburn. She should show a real passion for her work and seek to positively impact lives and communities. This award is open to volunteers as well as paid staff, however the 1V Woman of the Year must go beyond her paid role(s) to be considered for this award. Special credit will go to those that are ambassadors in the area of cohesion and integration, and those who seek to promote gender and racial equality, as well as uplifting marginalized communities.
While the award aims to acknowledge the work of candidates in the previous 12 months, it can also be recognition of a continued level of service to the communities.
SPONSORED BY
WINNER 2023
Walking Club Wonder is Woman of the Year
A passionate and dedicated well being ambassador won the 1V Woman of the Year for her exceptional work in endorsing the great outdoors.
Uzma Khan received the dazzling trophy from the newly appointed Chief Executive of Lancashire Mind, David Dunwell.
Uzma Khan has worked incredibly hard with her Four Seasons Walking Club. She is a mother of three who sacrifices much of her time helping others in the community.
She has worked with schools, youth groups and older members of the community. She has a true passion for getting people out in the great outdoors – from local walks to the highest mountain peaks.
Her work has also included water therapy, yoga, and family events.
She has empowered many individuals through many projects and now has a growing following.
Uzma has organised and actively participated in various charity fundraisers throughout the last 12 months.
Uzma Khan was elated at winning the award and stated: “It has been an honour to receive this award. I’m still a little overwhelmed as this was a total surprise but as they say good things happen to those who wait. This award is not only mine but for the entire team of Four Seasons Outdoors without whom this award would be impossible.
“I would like to thank One Voice Blackburn for an amazing and inspiring evening. The young hosts were incredible and I was in complete awe of their confidence on stage.”
SPONSORED BY
The 1V Woman of the Year should be a role model for the whole community.
She must demonstrate a series of activities or programmes which have made a real difference in her community, and the wider area of Blackburn. She should show a real passion for her work and seek to positively impact lives and communities. This award is open to volunteers as well as paid staff, however the 1V Woman of the Year must go beyond her paid role(s) to be considered for this award. Special credit will go to those that are ambassadors in the area of cohesion and integration, and those who seek to promote gender and racial equality, as well as uplifting marginalized communities.
While the award aims to acknowledge the work of candidates in the previous 12 months, it can also be recognition of a continued level of service to the communities.
Liz Crook Woman Of The Year 2019