Michelle Bridge, director of Building Bridges CIC in Birkenhead was one of five winners in the Merseyside Women of the Year Marvels Awards

Michelle Bridge has kept her community supermarket going six-days-a-week throughout the COVID-19 lockdown despite significant funding challenges.

And it was this determination to reach out to vulnerable residents in Birkenhead that has seen Michelle being named as one of the five winners in the Merseyside Women of the Year (MWOTY) Marvels Awards.

The MWOTY Marvels awards were launched in June, after the organisation was forced to cancel its 2020 event due to the coronavirus outbreak. The online awards initiative was designed to recognise the key workers and volunteers who supported our region through the pandemic.

As a director of the Building Bridges CIC at Cavendish Community Hub in Wirral, Michelle has made sure the social supermarket has stayed open during the crisis and has provided food packages and deliveries to people in the community of Birkenhead North End.

Despite being self-funded and ineligible to receive any specific grants and funding during COVID-19, she has still worked tirelessly and endlessly to ensure her shelves are full and the community hub stays open.

As well as the supermarket, the facility also offers a donations-only salon, a tea room, a place for learning, a play room and coming soon a function hall with bar and sensory room.

Michelle was one of five winners of the MWOTY Marvels Awards. The others were:

Cassie James – Sefton 

Volunteer radio presenter at Mighty Radio 107.9. During lockdown Cassie demonstrated total dedication and commitment to presenting her show, seven days a week, to connect with her local community at a time when it was needed most. This was despite her own personal struggles with her health. 

Chloe Sutton – Liverpool

Associate nurse at Bridgewater Community Healthcare. Chloe was selected for her passionate commitment to her job, working long hours and weekends during the COVID-19 crisis to support patients being released from hospital.

Donna Phipps – Liverpool

Pan disability advocate at Liverpool Parent & Carers. Since lockdown started Donna has provided a constant, up-to-date information service across the city for families of children with additional needs. She worked with the council to distribute food and supplies to families in need and those shielding.

Graham Roscoe – Wirral

Design & technology teacher at Calday Grammar School. When the pandemic hit, Graham, spearheaded a campaign to make much needed PPE for NHS and care home workers across Merseyside. Joining forces with West Kirby Grammar School for Girls, he sourced materials and set to work, using 3D laser printers.

The five winners were selected from a host of nominations from across the region, made by members of the public. During the online event, MWOTY commère, Pauline Daniels, and Collette McCann from MWOTY headline sponsor, Michael W Halsall Solicitors, both provided a special video message for winners and attendees.

Speaking after the event, organisers Ellen Kerr and Jean Gadsby said: “It has been wonderful, despite the pandemic, to still do what MWOTY always seeks to do – to shine a light on those people in our communities whose incredible work often goes unnoticed and celebrate their incredible achievements.”