Barry’s kindness honoured by national award

Updated: 21 May 2025

Barry Bedford, a Nene and Welland Oddfellows member, has been announced as the winner of 2025’s Making a Difference Award for Giving a Helping Hand– congratulations, Barry!

He’s been recognised nationally for his dedication to looking after his fellow members and being counted on when it matters, or in times of need.

Barry often puts other’s needs before his own and his achievements have been recognised at a special ceremony during the Oddfellows’ Annual Moveable Conference on Tuesday 20 May in Scarborough, though Barry was unfortunately unable to attend.

Barry, from Peterborough, said: “I’m very, very proud and honoured. Nobody told me I’d been nominated. It was a shock when the letter came through the door. I was bowled over.

“It’s wonderful winning a national award. I’m not only recognised around here but within the whole Society. I’m very proud of it.”

Barry with his Making a Difference Award certificate

Selfless enthusiasm

A former Quarry Manager and Oddfellows member for nearly 60 years, Barry has held a wide range of formal volunteer roles at his Branch. He’s a trustee – a position he’s held for more than 40 years. He’s also been Provincial Grand Master (District Chairman) eight times, a role he’s in for the final time this year.

However, it’s his willingness and enthusiasm for helping people in and beyond his role as a Welfare Officer that has seen him chosen as the winner of the award.

“I’ve been a welfare visitor for I don’t know how many years,” Barry explained. “During the pandemic I’ve never been so busy. I was making up to 100 phone calls a month.

“In the early days, if someone was on their own we’d do their garden or paint a room or take them shopping or something like that. These days they want to get together and have a natter. They like coming in the hall or talking on the phone. Sometimes they’ll say, ‘can you come in Barry and have a cup of coffee’.

“My next door neighbour’s husband has dementia. She’s not a member but I still go round and help.

“I also helped a disabled friend of my wife who subsequently became a member because of the friendship Oddfellows showed.”

(L to R) Chris Sargeant, Barry Bedford and Jean Logan, all three winners from Nene and Welland Oddfellows

Barry has been known to give members lifts to and from events and the shops, and has assisted in all manner of DIY projects, including helping to clear driveways, repairing doors, gardening jobs and decorating rooms.

He explained: “I do get a buzz out of helping people. If I come home and I say to my wife, ‘I’ve done so-and-so with them and I’ve painted a room and they’re happy with it’, I think I’ve done something useful.

“I try to do something every day of my life. We’ve even cancelled holidays when the Oddfellows needed me.”

Barry added: “When I won the award my son said to my wife, ‘Dad’s like Batman. When there’s any trouble in Gotham City, a sign goes up in the sky for Batman and he turns up. Where we live, a sign goes up in the sky for Oddfellows Man and Dad goes out the door!’"

This year sees Barry picking up his second Making a Difference Award having won in the ‘Working in the Spirit of Mutuality’ category in 2020.

He said: “My wife says that I’m like a stick of rock – if you cut me in half it’ll say Oddfellows in the middle. 

“It’s a marvellous society. I like talking to different people and seeing their points of view and what they’ve done in life, and people find out what I’ve done.

“People should never be lonely if there’s an Oddfellow around. The Oddfellows is there to look out for people. That’s what we do. That’s what we are. We’re a society that not only looks after its members but other people in different situations.

“Oddfellows are very special people. A true Oddfellow is a friend for life, that’s what I always say.”

Branch Secretary at Nene and Welland Oddfellows, Karen Earth, said: “Barry embodies the Oddfellows’ ethos of making friends, helping people, and we’re delighted that he’s been recognised nationally for his invaluable service to Nene and Welland Oddfellows.

“Barry has been a long-term Welfare Officer for the Branch and has supported numerous members through difficult times and circumstances.

“He has gained lots of knowledge during his membership of the last 60 years and has encouraged many people to become members. He’s also helped those interested in the management of the Branch and those wanting to learn about the Society to progress as far as they can. He is a very valued font of knowledge, and our Committee of Management relies heavily on that knowledge as a Trustee.”

Barry concluded: “I am very proud of what they think I’ve achieved. You don’t think in those terms. I don’t look and think, ‘that’s what I’ve done’. It’s automatic. It’s just something I do every day of the week. It’s part and parcel of my life and has been for nearly 60 years.

“It’s the way I live my life and always have done and if that transforms into helping other people then I’m thankful."

Who make a difference in your Branch?

If you know somebody in your Branch who has gone above and beyond to help and support members of the Oddfellows, why not nominate them for a 2026 Making a Difference Award?

Any member can nominate another member. You can learn more about the different categories in the Making a Difference Awards section of our website.

If you're interested in joining an Oddfellows friendship group, contact us and we can send you a free information pack and local events diary.