Nailsea Town Council has posthumously awarded Jo Hopkinson the 2024 Nailsea Community Award this week for her work and achievements in the local community.

Jo was given the award for her work setting up and running of Your Cancer Café after her own cancer diagnosis.

Following its opening in 2018 the café was a safe space for people to talk about their experiences and ran regular monthly sessions to support and allow people to come together and socialise who were in some way connected to a cancer diagnosis.

Jo was also known by many people within Nailsea from her work as a former Golden Valley Primary School deputy headteacher and as chair of Nailsea School governors, as well as being the founder of Your Cancer Café.

She was also a very active member of Nailsea Town Council.

The Council set up the Community Award Scheme to celebrate and thank people for their dedication to making Nailsea a better place to live, work, and visit, a dedication that Jo displayed with abundance.

North Somerset Times: Jo's husband Geof Delmege accepting Jo's awardJo's husband Geof Delmege accepting Jo's award (Image: NTC)

Councillor Anita Smith, Chair of Nailsea Town Council, presented the award to Jo’s husband Geof Delmege.

Smith said: “Jo was an amazing lady who worked hard for Nailsea in so many ways including serving as a Councillor on Nailsea Town Council.

“She was instrumental in setting up and running the Your Cancer Café. which has supported so many people suffering from cancer over the years. 

“The council is really proud of Jo and her work and it is very fitting that she has been honoured with this Community Award.”