Award
of MBE: Clive Hershman, Chair of SHARE Community, Vice President of
South London Liberal Synagogue, former Chairman of South London Liberal
Synagogue
Clive Hershman, Chairman of SHARE Community for
over 20 years, and immediate past chairman of the South London Liberal
Synagogue, was awarded an MBE in the 2005 New Year’s Honours. SHARE
Community itself has been a key player in the Wandsworth disability
arena since 1972, and now provides training and personal development
opportunities to disabled people from across London. Most trainees come
specifically to develop or hone employment related skills with a clear
aim of getting into or back to work. Others see their placement at
SHARE as more long term, acquiring basic and life skills, whilst also
taking part in real work situations, such as our horticulture project.
SHARE offers a positive, friendly and supportive environment. Our
clients reflect the diversity of the wider community, in terms of
culture, ethnicity and experience of disability.
Over 2,500 people have benefited directly from
SHARE’s services during the 20 years of Clive’s chairmanship. Clive has
consistently taken an active interest in the development of the
organisation, acting as adviser and mentor to senior staff, leading
negotiations for funding, and using his enthusiasm to promote SHARE to
people from the business world. Most significantly, perhaps, Clive led
negotiations with the Ian Karten Foundation which resulted in funding of
over £100,000 to develop a state of the art information and
communications technology centre with the capacity to train 25 people,
regardless of their level of disability or severity of impairment.
Clive is motivated by a deep commitment to
improving the quality of life of disabled people and a conviction that,
given a warm and supportive environment and high quality training, most
can move into the world of work. He takes a keen interest in individual
trainees, attending all SHARE functions and making sure that he becomes
acquainted with new staff and trainees.
Clive is a truly visionary man who believes in
working within a framework that is ethical and values-led. This
approach is embedded within SHARE and is now reflected at all levels.
The emphasis upon mutual support and self-help, of positive acceptance
of each individual, and of a non-judgmental attitude is what marks SHARE
out and distinguishes it from other training providers
Those of us who work and study at SHARE are proud
to have Clive as our Chairman and are deeply grateful for the energy
that he brings to his role. We are delighted that his contribution to
society has been recognised and that this well-earned award has been
made.
Annie McDowall Chief Executive, Share Community
SHARE Community, 64 Altenburg
Gardens, London SW11 1JL
0207 801 9817 (direct line), 0207 350 1625 (fax),
0207 228 1756 (minicom)
e-mail anniem@sharecommunity.org.uk
website:
www.sharecommunity.org.uk
