Public Advisers Alan Price and Naheed Tahir were recognised for their respected work in communities by High Sheriff Lesley Martin-Wright in a prestigious ceremony held at The Athenaeum in Liverpool to mark the end of her reign.

Only a handful of awards were presented on the 12th April after the High Sheriff, which is an independent, non-political Royal appointment had visited hundreds of organisations and charities over the last 12 months across Liverpool.

Alan, who is a mental health support worker with MerseyCare’s Life Rooms and also volunteers at ‘Sean’s Place’, utilises his lived experience to support men and their families with mental wellbeing was commended for his resilience and empathy.

Recollecting his journey with ‘Sean’s Place’, Alan said: “My work with Sean’s Place has evolved from being a service user to training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and now I facilitate an 8-week CBT course for individual men who need help in dealing with anxiety and depression. It has been a great success in helping guys over the last 18 months.”

On receiving the award Alan said: “I think in all my work in the community I try and use a lot of the frame work we have in the ARC NWC, that of helping the community to battle social inadequacy and make peoples life’s less challenging.”

Co-chair of the ARC NWC Seldom Heard Forum, Naheed Tahir, was recognised by the High Sheriff for her perseverance and valuable contributions in supporting her community and neighbourhood as well as her role as a family magistrate. 

Naheed, an expert by experience, received the award for facing challenges as an advocate and voice for carers. Naheed recalled, “From looking after my younger siblings while growing up, caring for my ailing mum who died of lung cancer, to being a carer for more than 27 years for my daughter who has special needs has equipped me with a logical and passionate approach to tackling health inequalities for individuals and communities.”

Naheed continued: “This award has come as complete surprise and I was very emotional when my name was read out and completely overwhelmed.”