Humble Clare honoured with MBE ­— "a fantastic accolade for the centre"

Clare, 56, of Cowes, worked with community members to establish ‘Our Place’ ­— a drop in cafe to support vulnerable members of the community.

Even before the start of lockdown, she led the community in the establishment of the ‘West Wight Coronavirus Support’ hub.

"I feel like I am merely one person, and I've been singled out, when I have a fantastic team who are all very deserving," said Clare, who has managed the centre for the past 31 years.

"Of course, I'm hugely honoured ­— I'm blown away.

"It's a fantastic accolade ­for the centre — it's a reflection of the fantastic community that makes West Wight what it is.

"Back when the pandemic was looming in the beginning of March, I worked with Hazel Briton and Adam Tucker to set up our support hub, working with so many other people within the community.

Clare Griffin and WWSCC gym and fitness supervisor Shannon Kilcullen, with Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, during the prince’s visit on September 29.

"We recruited 300 volunteers, and the team that was West Wight Sports and Community Centre became Team West Wight, virtually over night.

"We succeeded, as a team, in supporting a large number of vulnerable, isolating members of our community.

"It's very nice to be acknowledged with an MBE, but it's really an award for the whole West Wight community, and how it's pulled together during the pandemic.

"The biggest achievement is to have brought so many parish town councils, voluntary groups, individuals and businesses together, as one unit, to form the hub.

"Everyone pulling together to work as one team ­— a huge upwelling of community effort.

"I just happen to be the manager of the centre that sort of led the way."

Clare Griffin with WWSCC staff members.

Clare organised a community meeting and encouraged individuals and local businesses to volunteer during the crisis.

Volunteers were recruited to monitor phone lines, shop for those isolating, collect prescriptions and a steering group was established to coordinate the work.

She recognised the need for leaflet distribution, and her team oversaw the production of scrubs for local care homes, and the production of 1,200 face masks to the local community.

The team managed providing hot meals from the centre’s café which were delivered to the homes of people shielding or isolating.

With the closure of the sports facilities, the team also set up an online classes programme and virtual fitness classes.

"The support hub is continuing, and working alongside the centre," said Claire.

"We're now working on long-term resilience for our community, in case there is another lockdown, or another crisis."