Issued: Thursday9 June, 2016
Rewarding volunteersworking to make life better for others – home and away
Ateam of volunteers who bought and transformed the local shop into a vital focal point, and a young man who is helping young people to be more aware of issues around their sexuality and potential exploitationare to be recognised by a leading awards scheme.
They are among 19 individuals and groups whose workin dedicating thousands of hours of their time to helping others will be rewarded at the 2016 Wales Volunteer of the Year Awards onFriday 10 June.
A woman who is the driving force behind the reopening of a twice-weekly lunch club that is a ‘social lifeline’ for elderly and vulnerable local peopleand a ‘human’ nurse and emergency hedgehog carerwho hascared for 100 baby hedgehogs in the course of one summer will also receive awards.
The Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA) event will take place at Cardiff Castle and hosted by WCVA Vice-President, Tom Jones OBE.
Winners in the six nomination categories of trustees, international volunteers, adults, groups, ‘green’ volunteers and young people (under 25 years) will be presented with their awards by guest speaker, BBC news journalist Siân Lloyd.
WCVA Chief Executive Ruth Marks said: ‘There is no doubt Wales is a better place thanks to these exceptional individuals who work sohard for the good of their communities and make a real difference.
‘Wales is a nation of volunteers who give their time and energy to make our country a richer and better place for us all to live. Many people rely on volunteers and many activities only take place because of the expertise, dedication and commitment of people who choose to volunteer. Recognising the work of volunteers - and saying thank you -are important steps increating strong and vibrant Welsh communities.’
Wales Volunteer of the Year Awards 2016 winners
ADULT
Sue Osman - Gwent
Rather than putting her feet up, former neonatal nurse Sue Osman has spent her retirement helping families of children with disabilities to benefit from her expertise.
The 72-year-old from Gwent volunteers at the city’s Serennu Children's Centre for the Sparkle Appeal, which provides leisure, play and support services for disabled children and their families.
‘Families at the early stage of diagnosis are often scared, shocked and overwhelmed by the news that their child may have a life-long disability,’ said Clinical Psychologist at the Sparkle Appeal Sarah Brown.
‘Sue helps to normalise this for parents, and supports them to explore their fears and concerns in the safety of a warm and positive relationship. Her experience as a nurse at the Royal Gwent Hospital for many years helps her to connect with families and help them make sense of their experiences so far.
‘It has been such a privilege to work alongside her - she is an inspiration to all of us,’ Sarah added. ‘From her welcoming smile when she is meeting families at the Serennu reception, to the support she gives to parents at the early stage of diagnosis, she makes a difference to the families here every step of the way.’
Sue said that since she started volunteering at Serennu she has been very aware of the joys and rewards that being a volunteer can bring. ‘I love all aspects of my different roles, the fact that everyone is so appreciative makes the job more worthwhile. To receive this award is absolutely amazing. I feel very humbled and honoured. Thank you.’
Beryl Bennett - Swansea
At 90-years-old, Beryl Bennett is still opening up the Red Cross shop at Singleton Hospital, Swansea three days a week, receiving a weekly early morning stock delivery, marking up prices and buying any missing items from alternative suppliers.
She returns at the weekend to do a thorough stock check, helping to organise the shop and stock room and placing an order for the next delivery, all while ‘cheerfully and compassionately’ serving patients, visitors and staff.
Beryl, of Swansea, joined the Red Cross in 1990 and has been an ‘exemplary volunteer, going out of her way to provide the best support to the patients and staff at the hospital and retail shop in Swansea,’ said nominator Nikki Mather, Service Co-ordinator.
In 2014 alone, she gave over 360 hours to the hospital and took an active role in fundraising activities.
‘After more than 25 years of impeccable service, Beryl has not faltered in her commitment to the Red Cross but instead fulfils her role to such a high standard that the shop volunteers hold her in the highest esteem,’ Nikki added.
‘She is seen as a sort of hero by her fellow volunteers and is treated with a great deal of respect and affection. Within the current Singleton team of over 60 volunteers, Beryl Bennett has undoubtedly made the biggest impact on the Red Cross services in Singleton Hospital.’
Beryl said that she was delighted to be nominated and receive an award for her volunteer work. ‘I very much enjoy my work with British Red Cross at Singleton Hospital and I am very grateful for the support of my fellow volunteers and BRC staff.’
Marie Williams - Cardiff
Single mum Marie Williams has transformed her experience of difficulties into expertise she uses to help others in the same situation.
Marie, 32, of Riverside in Cardiff, volunteers with the Creating Connections self-management project for single parents, a Mental Health Foundation programme supporting lone parents to develop skills, strategies and networks for maintaining their mental health and wellbeing.
‘We believe that people have a lot to contribute to managing their mental health and Marie has transformed her experiences into expertise that she uses to help herself and others,’ said Jackie Fisher,from the Mental Health Foundation. ‘She is an inspiration to other parents because she can truly empathise with their situations.
‘Due to her modesty, Marie often underestimates the role model she provides to others. She manages to fit all her volunteering into a busy life, caring for her son alone, applying for jobs and volunteering for other organisations.’
Marie said she felt very honoured to be receiving the award. ‘It has been a great pleasure, and an amazing experience, to volunteer on the Creating Connections project.
‘This past year and a half has been a wonderful opportunity to make a difference and be able to support other single parents, and be part of a fantastic team of people, who are all passionate about supporting single parents to break down isolation, build confidence and establish friendships with others in their communities who have similar experiences.’
Ceriann Goddard – Cardiff
Ceriann Goddardwas the driving force behind the reopening of a twice-weekly Cardiff lunch club that is a ‘social lifeline’ for elderly and vulnerable local people, marshalling other volunteers to help turn it into a hub for community groups.
Ceriann took over running the Wyndham Street Diner in Riverside when it closed in 2014 after funding was cut. She brought people together to decorate the centre, run training to equip volunteers with the skills to carry out their roles and encouraged the use of the diner by local groups.
‘The aim of the lunch club is to provide a safe and welcoming place to have a low-price, balanced and freshly prepared meal,’ said Kathryn Williams from Cadwyn Housing Association.
‘However, more than just food, it's a place for people of all ages to meet up and chat, to break down barriers of isolation and loneliness. It had been a social lifeline for lots of elderly or vulnerable local residents for whom it was a reason to get out of the house.
‘Ceriann always seeks to ensure those that want to be involved can and provides an open door for whoever needs it and she understands that for some the journey can take a long time and be more difficult than for others.
‘She is also always the first person to stand up and talk about the difficulties she has herself faced so that others can know that they are not alone and hopefully can use her story as inspiration and encouragement to know that there is light at the end of the tunnel if they need it.’
Ceriann said: ‘My recovery has always involved taking part in volunteering. The Diner project is the most enjoyable and close to my heart yet. It gives me a reason to get up in the morning.
‘Volunteering is not me just giving of myself, it gives back to me. I have support, empathy, understanding, purpose, friends, a new social life, confidence, self-esteem, pride, new skills, fun, laughter and so much more.
‘I’ve also had headaches, blisters, sore feet and exhaustion, but the sense of achievement that comes with working so hard is worth it. Volunteering means the world to me and I am so grateful for the opportunities it has given me.’
GROUP
World Heritage Youth Ambassadors - Blaenavon
Young people working to promote the World Heritage town of Blaenavon have inspired other young people in a community where it’s considered ‘uncool’ to be ‘involved’.
The World Heritage Youth Ambassadors has been running for just a year, but achieved ‘a phenomenal amount’, said Cllr Gareth Davies, who recently completed his term as Mayor of Blaenavon.
The volunteer programme was set up with the aim of empowering young people aged 13 to 21 to learn about and have an active voice in the World Heritage Site and be represented in community and civic decisions.
They help out at events by being stewards and running community stalls, raising money for community groups and at Blaenavon World Heritage Day.
‘The Youth Ambassadors are empowered to influence other young people through positive activity - they engage with other young people and bring them into the project and demonstrate that they can make a real difference in the area,’ said Cllr Davies.
‘In a community where it is “uncool” to be “involved”, they proudly participate and promote young people as good role models. They give the young people of Blaenavon and the area a voice to be heard- this is why they should receive special recognition.’
Youth Ambassadors member Ashleigh Taylor described receiving the award as a huge honour for the group. ‘It’s a real testimony to the hard work and dedication of all our young people who have made such a difference in the Blaenavon World Heritage Site,’ she said.
‘It is amazing to be recognised as a programme that not only makes a real impact in our community, but gives young people a voice they would not have had otherwise. We are thrilled and incredibly proud to be receiving the award and want to thank Blaenavon Town Council for nominating us and WCVA for choosing us!’
Friends of Polly’s Park - Swansea
A group of more than 100 volunteers has turnedPolly’s Park in St Thomas, Swansea - the only green space in the community- from a ‘no-go wilderness’ to an open inviting recreational space frequently enjoyed by many people.
St Thomas is a Communities First area with higher proportions of babies and children under 15, people aged over 65 and lone parent households. The park is its only recreational area.
Friends of Polly’s Park secured a grant of£25,000 from the Aviva Community Fund to redevelop and transform the park. The funding was spent on new apparatus and an adventure trail, a new wildlife area with a ‘bug hotel’ and pond, ‘fairy houses’, a sensory garden and picnic areas.
‘Friends of Polly’s Park has only been going for 18 months but already achieved an incredible amount in such a short space of time,’ said local resident Gloria Moore. ‘They are creating magical memories and these are the things that children will remember.
‘The volunteers spend hours upon hours of their own spare time carrying out action days at the park, which has gone from a no-go wilderness to an open inviting recreational space which is frequently enjoyed by many.
‘The group has brought real community spirit back into our area and I feel the project has improved the emotional, mental and physical wellbeing of many local residents. Barriers have been broken down and it seems as though people have more time to talk, the talking point centring around the park.
‘They are also making the older residents feel part of the project and making us feel young again. There is a buzz around the area.’
Hayley Gwilliam from Friends of Polly’s Park said: ‘We are absolutely delighted to have been nominated by our wonderful friend and neighbour Gloria Moore. We have had tremendous support in our local community for the work we have been doing.
‘What has been achieved would not be possible without the hardwork of our many volunteers adults and children who give up their free time; the school and the student council who have helped and the local library who have been so very supportive.
‘We have an excellent pool of volunteers who all have different strengths and abilities and this creates a winning team. It has been a wonderful couple of years for the group and we look forward to the future and being able to enjoy the park.’
Cwmni Cymunedol Cletwr – Machynlleth
A quiet mid Wales parish in Powys has seen a huge revival in its community spirit, thanks to a 50-strong team of volunteers who bought and transformed the local shop into a vital focal point.
Cwmni Cymunedol Cletwr (CCC) - which is managed as a social enterprise by a volunteer Board of Directors - runs a community shop and café, staffed by residents ranging from accountants, web designers and builders to retirees and vulnerable people.
The shop supplies competitively priced fresh local produce, a wide range of fruit and vegetables, local meats, dairy and organic wholefoods – all helping to keep the village healthier, said local resident Louise Halestrap.
‘Welsh language practice is encouraged, even a few words, which makes both English and Welsh speakers more self confident in sharing a few words of greeting and creates cross-cultural links,’ she added.
‘The CCC has managed to get the best out of the community - villagers get to know each other much more, because we meet either as a customer or a volunteer, and the training given enhances essential job skills
‘Older people have found a new avenue for their wealth of skills and experience - we have many older volunteers who are happy to give time and expertise to help the Siop run and to train younger people.’
Shelagh Hourahane from Cwmni Cymunedol Cletwr said: ‘The WCVA award recognises the hard work and enthusiasm of a dedicated group of volunteers, without whom Siop Cynfelyn@cletwr would not have been able to open and to operate for the last three years.
‘This award marks an important milestone in the development of our long-term vision to provide a valuable and sustainable community service and to increase resilience in a vulnerable rural area.
‘It is with a sense of pride that we showcase this project, which we hope will set a standard for similar ventures throughout Wales.’
INTERNATIONAL
Molly Davies-Briskham - Swansea
Teenager Molly Davies-Briskham was the youngest person in a team from Wales helping children and young people in an impoverished part of India to learn English and take part in sport.
At just 19 years old, Swansea resident Molly completed a month-long international volunteer placement with Empower - Be The Change in Tamil Nadu. ‘The youngest volunteer we received on the project, she took the brave decision to travel to India to take up this opportunity,’ said Jo Clay
‘Molly adapted with ease to this completely different environment and quickly became a natural leader and source of inspiration for the other two volunteers who were undertaking placements at the same time,’ she added.
All the volunteers live in the local boys’ orphanage, delivering English lessons and sports coaching sessions there and in local schools and college.
‘The role of the volunteer is essential in breaking the cycle of poverty,’ Jo Clay added. ‘Volunteers instil a sense of belief amongst these young people that they can develop and use their talents to create better opportunities for themselves.
‘Molly’s commitment, time and energy alone is enough to nominate her for this award. From the minute she arrived to long after her placement, Molly worked tirelessly to plan and deliver fun, interactive, interesting and memorable sessions for all the lessons that she delivered.’
Molly said: ‘Sometimes things come along that genuinely do change your life - for me, my trip to India was one of those things. It moulded me into the person that I have always wanted to be.