A RUBERY woman has been recognised for her work setting up and running a club where people with disabilities socialise with non-disabled people.

Louise Edgell started the club in the village as part of a nationwide network of nearly 200 volunteer-run PHAB Clubs where disabled and able-bodied people meet on equal terms for fun and enjoyment.

The club meets weekly at the Trinity Centre, formerly Lickey Parish Hall, at the top of Rose Hill.

It was set up a year ago by the 27-year-old and features games evenings, crafts, music and activity weekends in conjunction with other clubs.

In addition to the trophy, Louise has won a bursary of £250 for the benefit of the club.

Louise first got involved with the charity Phab in 2004 as an able-bodied volunteer on a holiday project. Since then she has attended summer and weekend projects every year and was also a volunteer helper for many years at a Phab Club in Solihull before starting the Lickey club.

Louise has been given the award as part of the Midland Phab’s annual Jo Webb Award scheme, named after a severely disabled volunteer who passed away in 2013 after 35 years of dedicated service to Phab in the Midlands.

Under the Scheme, all Phab Clubs in the region are invited to nominate people from within their club who they feel have done the most to further PHAB’s philosophy of Making More of Life Together.

Louise won the award in the face of tough competition from more than 30 clubs throughout the Midlands.

She said: "Phab is a charity very close to my heart and although the Lickey Club is only a year old, we have a fantastic team of dedicated volunteers and a membership of over 30 people."