Ex- Mayoress of Horwich, Patricia Holmes has worked with women in prison and in prostitution and champions mental health, equality and diversity issues.
Patricia is chairman of BRASS (Befriending Refugees and Asylum Seekers), an organisation that provides specialised advice on immigration and asylum, citizenship and rights under the law. The group also provides support and information to enable people to access public services, English classes with trained ESOL tutors and volunteers, workshops to promote understanding of UK life, rights and responsibilities and community participation and it strives to reduce isolation and promote well-being.
In the past, Patricia’s work in the voluntary sector has included working with women in prison and women in prostitution and she champions work in the areas mental health, equality and diversity. As well as her work for BRASS, Patricia is Mayoress of Horwich.
Patricia said she was shocked but delighted to be nominated. Her message for other women working for community groups would be to emphasise the importance of those groups working together for the benefit of everyone in our communities.