100 people who made Watford

As our town continues to celebrate 100 years of being Watford Borough, the local council has published a list of 100 people who have helped to make Watford the town it is today. As every person on the list was nominated by the local community, we were thrilled to have our three founders (and Polly, our Watford charity shop manager) chosen as people that made Watford.

We are so encouraged to be recognised in this way and are pleased to share the words of Watford Borough Council below:

We are proud to announce that the founders of @NewHopeHQ have been chosen as one of the '100 people who made Watford'. For more information and the incredible stories of our '100 people who made Watford', please visit: https://watfordcentenary.com/top-100

Dr Tim Robson OBE - Tim is a founding trustee of New Hope, leading the charity as Chairman from 1991 to 2008 and now standing on New Hope’s board. He is a qualified medical doctor who helped set-up a specialist surgery for people suffering health issues as a result of poverty and homelessness. Tim was awarded an OBE in the 2015 New Year Honours for services to the homeless in Hertfordshire.

Sheila Meaning BEM - Sheila co-founded New Hope with her friend, the late Janet Hosier, who saw the many people sleeping rough in the centre of Watford and felt moved to act. Sheila has won various accolades for her work with those who are marginalised. Notably, in 2016, Sheila was awarded a British Empire Medal and in 2011, she was awarded the Lesley Peace ‘Women of Courage’ Award and Watford Borough Council’s Audentior Award.

Janet Hosier - Janet’s willingness to give so much of herself and her time to supporting people who were left behind and often ignored was profound. From the humble beginnings of providing meals to vulnerable people at a local church, Janet was always committed to helping those experiencing homelessness which eventually led to the founding of Watford New Hope Trust which is still providing meals, accommodation and support today.

Polly Odbert - For over 20 years, Polly has been the volunteer manager of New Hope’s Watford charity shop, a shop that provides much needed income to support people in their recovery from homelessness. Polly’s enthusiasm and commitment to helping people is well-known and she has been recognised for her dedication with Volunteer of the Year from Watford’s Audentior Awards in 2015.