Page 17 - Community Living Magazine 35-1

in conversation

witnessing her in action. The victory for what can I call it? And I said well we have
equality will be won by thousands of small already got Vince so why don’t you just
contributions and I hope Linda is proud call it Vincent 2?”
of hers.” She laughs and I can recall the innocent
fun that they had when introducing Vince
People’s champion to a very large monkey called Vincent 2.
It was most likely her work as co-chair of Did he mind? “No, he didn’t mind at all.
the partnership board alongside her other We had to take Vincent 2 home on
voluntary work that led to Doherty being the coach.”
chosen as a “people’s champion”. A few years later, Tracy Sterling died. “It
Doherty found out about from a letter was really heart-breaking when she
she received in the post. She thought it went,” says Doherty, but we both agree it
was a mistake: “I said to Vince [support is good to remember her with laughter.
worker]: ‘It doesn’t belong to me’. And he During the pandemic, Doherty has kept
said I have put you in for it. For in touch with people by phone, and
helping out.” although she attended meetings via her
So she was presented with a certificate tablet, she is not a fan. “I am too old to
naming her a community hero and think about all that kind of lark,” she says
thanking her for helping “to make with a grin.
Islington a better place”.
She remains proud, but adds with a A good life
shrug: “I’ve got loads of certificates, but Looking back, Doherty says she has had a
they are all indoors. I can’t find them. I good life. She has been happy. Her
have got so many.” Digging big: Doherty’s gardening group got in the proudest achievement is having her own
Doherty originally lived at home with paper for growing a giant garlic bulb flat, now shared with Bob.
her parents: “My mum was in a Her happiest times, she says, were with
wheelchair and my dad used to lift her out helped her to arrange to get her support her old friends at Elfrida. “I liked Elfrida
of the wheelchair and all that.” from the Westminster Society. Some because we all mucked in with people and
Having her own place clearly gave her former Elfrida staff were working there, talked with people. We had great days, we
more self-confidence and freedom. “I’ve and she was very happy to get support did. Elfrida helped me get my own flat and
done all what I want,” she says, smiling. from people she had known for to stand on my feet about my money
Her brother Lennie, who is one year older many years. and everything.”
than her, keeps in touch and rings her Another photo has her laughing. It Doherty is still a member of the walking
every night to make sure she is OK. shows her with her old friend Tracy group and the gardening group. “I said to
Sterling. In the photo, they are on an Dolly [Elfrida chief executive Dolly Galvis]
Elfrida day out to Chessington World if she wants any more help I’ll come and
I liked Elfrida because we all of Adventures. help. I’ll come and do the garden for her”.
“I always remember that. Tracy had a go It’s a great offer. n.
mucked in and talked. We had on one of the things and she won that – a ● Thanks to Deborah Kober and Dolly
great days, we did. Elfrida huge stuffed monkey with a banana on its Galvis at the Elfrida Society for their
helped me get my own flat hand. It was bigger than her. And she said assistance with this interview
and to stand on my feet

This continues even though Doherty
now lives with her partner Bob, who
moved in with her a while back. She is
pleased that Bob’s name is “on the rent”
so everything is above board.
Home and holidays
We have a good chuckle at some of the
photos Doherty has brought in. She shows
me a great one of herself on holiday with
a small group of friends. She is wearing a
great pair of green hiking shorts.
“That was in Exeter with Jenny Barrett,”
she says and I know she is referring to the
person who used to lead Elfrida’s
Homelink service for people living in their
own homes.
With help from Elfrida advocacy staff,
Doherty was able to get a solicitor who Doherty with her people’s champion award; she has “loads of certificates”, she says

www.cl-initiatives.co.uk Community Living Vol 35 No 1 | Autumn 2021 17