A pioneering community centre leader has sent a huge vote of thanks to the staff and volunteers at the centre she runs after being named in the New Year’s honours list for an MBE.

Wisbech Standard: Rosmini CentreRosmini Centre (Image: Archant)

Anita Grodiewicz, 58, has been nominated for services to the community.

She said she couldn’t do the job without the people who support her at the Rosmini Centre in Wisbech.

She said: “We have a dedicated team of staff and around 130 volunteers who go above and beyond, but they don’t get the recognition, they need to know just how important they are.

“When I found out I was on the list I was really excited. It was a surprise. You just get on with your job and your life and you don’t expect these sort of things to happen to ordinary people.

Wisbech Standard: Anita Grodkiewicz, manager of the Rosmini Centre, has been named in the New Year's Honours List for an MBEAnita Grodkiewicz, manager of the Rosmini Centre, has been named in the New Year's Honours List for an MBE (Image: Archant)

“Nobody who works in these role does it for being rewarded, we do it because we want to, because we enjoy what we do.”

Anita. of Outwell, has worked at the Rosmini Centre for 11 years.

The centre hosts homeless lunches every day, supports those in crisis, like women leaving domestic abuse situations, and gives support to the Eastern European and Roma communities.

Anita said: “Problems don’t hit in office hours, this is a 24/7 thing. Our team are incredible.”

Working in the charity sector for more than twenty-five years, Anita’s role has been manager of the Rosmini Centre, a registered charity, for the last nine years.

The centre provides a range of crucial services and support for the residents and migrant communities in the market town of Wisbech.

She has raised more than £1.77m to provide services for members of the local community, as well as directly supporting more than 5,000 migrant workers in the local area.

Her dedication has led to the centre developing from a small community group enterprise consisting of a small number of volunteers to one that now has three full time and two part time members of staff as well as scores of local volunteers, who deliver services and activities to more than 3,000 people a year.

She has established a successful Polish school for the local community as well as organising English language classes.

She has worked tirelessly to engage effectively with Roma gypsy and traveller groups and delivers direct assistance including emergency accommodation for homeless people.