27th October, 2021

Old Silk Works manager Lou Gover has been nominated for the Dame Barbara Windsor Award for Dementia Care for her work at the day club and for volunteering in the community during the pandemic.

Lou, who has managed the Old Silk Works in Warminster since it opened in 2018, has reached the final four out of 38 nominees. The judging panel were impressed by her selfless efforts during the first lockdown, which included shopping for carers and fundraising for Alzheimer’s Support 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. They also liked her dance routines on TikTok to raise money for a jukebox for the Old Silk Works.

Lou said: “A representative from the Dame Barbara Windsor awards rang me when I was out shopping and it took him a while to convince me it wasn’t a prank! It’s a real honour to be nominated."

Dame Barbara Windsor Awards nomination is honour

This latest accolade follows Lou’s recent nomination in The Sun’s Who Cares Wins award which saw her attending a star-studded ceremony in London where she met Rod Stewart, Prince William and David Beckham. Now she and the other three Dam Barbara Windsor Award nominees will in a live broadcast of Good Morning Britain and the award will be presented in December by Scott Mitchell, Dame Barbara’s widower.

Grant Newton, Alzheimer’s Support head of day care services, said: “We were thrilled and not not surprised that Lou has been nominated for another prestigious award. She puts her heart and soul into her work here at the club and in the community. It’s impossible for her not to go above and beyond. This recognition is truly deserved, so once again well done, Lou!!”

Lou's nomination for The Sun's Who Cares Wins Award

The Old Silk Works day club