9th September 2021

Old Silk Works Club manager Louise Gover will be joining celebrities and a host of health care heroes after being shortlisted for a national award.

Louise will find out if she has won a The Sun's Who Cares Wins award a star-studded red carpet ceremony hosted by Davina McCall and televised on Channel 4 and More 4.  She will meet judges Anthony Joshua, Matt Lucas and Kate Garraway and the other finalists from across the NHS and social care sector. The ceremony in London's Roundhouse will be broadcast on Sunday 19th September at 7pm.

Lou, who has managed the day club in Warminster since it opened in 2018, was nominated in the Unsung Hero category by Maria Noke, whose late father Ronald attended Old Silk Works. She told the judges about the club, and also her work during the first lockdown when she supported club members over the phone and by video-link, delivered shopping and prescriptions to families isolated by both Covid and dementia.

Maria said: "The atmosphere at the club was always very friendly. No matter their illness, Louise made everyone feel happy and like they really mattered. Then Covid struck, and Louise made sure no-one was forgotten.

"Having a loved-one with severe dementia during lockdown was one of the most challenging things I've been through but Louise would regularly Facetime us and she created little groups so carers and members could still communicate.”

How Lou went above and beyond during lockdown

The Sun had also discovered Lou's Tik Tok dances raising money for a new club jukebox and were impressed by her selfless efforts during lockdown. These including shopping for carers in fancy dress, cooking and delivering roast dinners, volunteering in a care home and various other community roles, as well as looking after her own family and supporting club families. 

The paper sent a team to the Warminster club earlier in the summer to meet Lou and Maria and create a video which will be shown at the ceremony.

Alzheimer's Support Head of Day Care Grant Newton said: " I and everyone at Alzheimer's Support are so happy that Lou has been shortlisted for the Sun's Unsung Hero Award.

"She has a huge, kind heart and an enthusiasm for life that carries everyone with her. The work that she and her team do for us at the Old Silk Works Club contributes so much to those experiencing and caring for dementia. It is a demanding job in its own right so having the energy to do all her community work, fundraising and looking after a young family is inspiring. i know there are some amazing and equally deserving candidates for this award but Lou is all ours so I really hope she wins!"

How the shortlist was announced in The Sun

When The Sun visited Old Silk Works