Founder of Mansfield and Ashfield Covid mutual aid group gets national award for community heroes

Joanne Barfield, 45, set up the Mansfield & Ashfield Area Support Group on March 14, 2020, just as the country went into the first national lockdown.

Within two weeks it had 3,000 members and it has gone from strength to strength ever since, and it was one of those members, Lisa Sharpe, who nominated Joanne for a Specsavers UK Smile Maker award.

Joanne said: “The award came as a total surprise and I’m truly overwhelmed. The group has really brought people together and highlighted all the good we have here in our communities.

“I couldn’t have done what I have though without the support of the group’s administrators, Lisa Angell, Helen Capewell, Stephanie Parkes and Denise Starkey – this award is for them too, and for every member who helped our community to smile when they didn’t think they would again.”

As well as the award itself, Joanne won a personal video call with celebrity father and son Martin and Roman Kemp, presenters of ITV chat show Sunday Best, who teamed up with Specsavers to honour the grassroots heroes of 2020.

Martin said: “This year has been tough but people like Joanne, who has been so generous in her commitment to the local community, make such a positive difference.

“We were thrilled to be able to meet her virtually, learn about her incredibly inspirational work and say thank you for her service to making people smile.”

Roman added: “Joanne is a very deserving winner and my dad and I loved chatting with her about her incredible work. Hopefully we made her smile in return.”

Joanne also received £1,000, which she is sharing with the group’s administrators, and a voucher to spend in her local Specsavers.

Nigel Davidson, director of the Sutton store, said: “The Specsavers Smile Maker competition has done a wonderful job of shining a light on those who have continued to make us smile when we have needed it most.

“I couldn’t be more thrilled that Joanne has been crowned one of the winners – she is a true community hero.”

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