A UNIVERSITY of South Wales lecturer and race equality champion has been chosen as a Coronation Champion by Their Majesties The King and The Queen Consort, in recognition of her dedication to voluntary work.
Vida Greaux, lecturer in Social Policy at USW, will attend the Coronation Concert at Windsor on Sunday (May 7) after being nominated by Gwent Police to be one of 500 Coronation Champions chosen across the UK.
As Chair of the Gwent Police Independent Advisory Group (IAG), Vida helps build cohesion between communities and policy by ensuring a community voice and public scrutiny. Through her work, Vida has helped police better engage with communities and have a greater understanding of the tensions impacting those living and working in the Gwent region; ultimately working towards embedding an anti-racism culture within the police.
Vida is also a member of the divisional IAG for the British Transport Police, and has actively served the religious community through her links with places of worship.
Her passion for working towards eliminating racial, religious, and cultural discrimination continues in her role as Chair of the Race Equality USW Network, which is made up of colleagues from across the University and offers a space for members to support one another on shared issues of importance.
The Network aims to promote opportunities for everyone, regardless of their background; creating and supporting a culture in which all members of the USW community can participate and fulfil their potential in an environment where they are valued and respected.
The Coronation Champions Awards were launched as part of the official Coronation celebrations, in conjunction with the Royal Voluntary Service, to recognise exceptional volunteers from across the UK. After a national callout, almost 5,000 nominations were made for individuals aged 14 to 103.
Vida impressed judges with her passion to use her voice for those under-serviced and for her compassionate leadership in bringing volunteers together to improve policing for the communities of Gwent.
Vida and her fellow Coronation Champions have all been invited to attend one of the official Coronation celebrations, and will receive a specially designed, official Coronation Champions pin and a certificate signed by Their Majesties.
On hearing the news of her nomination, Vida said: “This is a real acknowledgement of being valued and gives me a sense of pride and achievement to know my volunteering has made a difference to others. I enjoy volunteering, as I feel I am giving something back.
“Over the years, volunteering and my role as ‘critical friend’ has provided me with the opportunity to gain a better understanding and insight of policing and the ability to express the views of unheard voices. Volunteering has also boosted my self-confidence and sense of accomplishment.
“I feel honoured and so grateful to Gwent Police for their kind nomination, and am very excited to attend the concert with my son, Zhivago. It will be a wonderful life experience.”
