Volunteer nominated for sector award
Sue Barnes, one of the Trust’s volunteers, has been shortlisted in the Volunteer of the Year category at the Care and Support West Awards 2021. The awards, which celebrate outstanding people, organisations and leadership in the South West’s care sector, are due to stage their prize-giving ceremony on 9th October at Ashton Gate stadium in Bristol.
Sue began volunteering for the Trust in 2019 and she initially offered support to our Gloucester Road North service in Filton as a buddy and through helping residents with group activities and trips in the community. After the pandemic struck, our volunteers were no longer able to enter our services, but Sue has continued to help in other ways. She did rounds of food shopping for our services who were struggling due to the pressures of the pandemic and she is a telephone befriender for a person we support.
Sue has also shown great initiative in going above and beyond what we ask for from our volunteers. During a heatwave last summer, she purchased cold drinks and delivered them to several of our services. She also put our Gloucester Road North service forward for an Asda Community Care Award, which resulted in the Trust winning £300.
Lubomira, the Service Coordinator at our Gloucester Road North service, said:
“Sue is so cheerful and full of energy. Everyone enjoys her presence. She is very proactive and always wants to help. We can’t wait to welcome Sue back into the home (once restrictions have eased sufficiently), she is just fantastic.”
On being told of her award nomination, Sue said:
“I volunteered for the Trust because, as a newly retired person, I wanted a new challenge. I enjoy spending time with the ‘family’ (for that is what the Trust have created) and doing what I can to bring some happiness to them. I’m sure there are others who have far exceeded my efforts, however it is always nice to be appreciated and I’m very grateful to have been nominated.”
Thank you for all your help Sue and congratulations on your nomination!
Read more about the Care and Support West Awards