Graham has paid tribute to Jayne Nendick MBE after she was recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours List for her outstanding service to Withernsea and Southern Holderness.
Jayne recently retired as Chief Executive of the SHoRes Centre, which she founded twenty years ago after a long campaign to create a proper community hub for South Holderness.
She is still working around two days a week with SHoRes and has now become interim chairman of the Southern Holderness Fund board, which will help decide how £20 million is spent to improve Withernsea, Patrington and the surrounding villages over the next decade.
For Graham, Jayne’s MBE recognises far more than one role or one organisation. It recognises a lifetime of practical service to a town she loves.
Under Jayne’s leadership, SHoRes has become one of the most important institutions in Withernsea. It helps people into work. It supports families. It provides food, advice, care, training and a place to turn when life gets hard.
The SHoRes Food Pantry supports more than 1,000 people. The SHoRes Diner provides meals and work opportunities, with many staff having previously been unemployed or facing physical or mental health challenges. SHoRes Homecare supports older and vulnerable residents, while the Dementia Café gives people living with dementia and their carers a safe and understanding place to go.
SHoRes has also helped protect local services. The Withernsea Banking Hub first opened in the SHoRes Centre after Graham worked with Cash Access UK, local councillors and the community to protect access to cash following the closure of Lloyds. The centre has also hosted Google Digital Garage workshops to help local businesses improve their digital skills and grow online.
Jayne’s work has always been about more than services. It has been about Withernsea itself.
She has helped people find work, supported families through the cost of living crisis, backed young people, cared for older residents, helped local businesses and kept vital services in the town. That is why Graham believes she represents the best of Withernsea and the best of Southern Holderness.
Her new role as interim chairman of the Southern Holderness Fund board will put that experience to use as communities decide how £20 million can create lasting change across Withernsea, Patrington, Easington, Kilnsea, Winestead, Welwick, Skeffling, Holmpton, Hollym and nearby villages.
Graham has said the fund must not be frittered away. It must support jobs, young people, families, community spaces, local pride and long-term renewal.
Graham said: “Jayne Nendick MBE is an inspiration to Withernsea, Southern Holderness and everyone who believes in proper community service.
“She has spent years doing the hard, practical work that changes lives. Helping people into jobs. Supporting families. Keeping services in Withernsea. Backing young people. Caring for older residents. Giving people confidence when they need it most.
“What makes Jayne so special is that she understands Withernsea completely. She knows that jobs, families, services, young people and pride in the town are all connected. You cannot strengthen one without strengthening the others.
“Her MBE is richly deserved, and I am delighted that her experience will now help guide the Southern Holderness Fund. This is a once-in-a-generation chance to improve Withernsea, Patrington and the surrounding villages, and Jayne is exactly the sort of person we need helping to make sure it delivers real, lasting results.”
