Making a difference Enormous impact of volunteers “We are so lucky to have volunteers Volunteers’ Week is an annual event, which takes place who want to contribute to their local from 1-7 June. It celebrates the contribution made by community and make a difference.” millions of volunteers across the UK. marie gabriel, east london nhs foundation trust http://volunteersweek.org News Time, dedication and commitment BY JESSICA ODUBAYO VOLUNTEERS who give commitment, dedication and time to a charity which supports older people were honoured at this year’s Barry Blandford Volunteer of the Year Awards. At this year’s AGE UK East London celebration, volunteers, staff, family and friends of Barry gathered at the charity’s resource centre, Appian Court, for the awards ceremony. Sharon Waddams, volunteering involvement manager, presented volunteers with certificates. Barry, who died in (Above) Volunteers honoured by AGE UK East London. (Below) Sharon Waddams, Hezekiah Coker and Mary Clutterbuck Cunningham and Allisun Blandford, presented awards to Hezekiah Coker, who won the volunteer of the year award, and runner-up Mary Clutterbuck. Hezekiah was training to be a surveyor but became unwell and was unable to pursue his career. He has been a volunteer at Age UK East London since 2009, setting up a database, and using his administrative skills to support the charity. Mary, who was nominated by an Age UK East London service user, has been a volunteer befriender for the past ten years. She was described as a good listener, kind, patient and helpful. Tracy said: “On behalf of dad’s family and friends it was a real privilege for the second year running to have been involved in choosing the winners. “Dad was a volunteer and gave his time to others, which he took great pride in being able to do. He has inspired many others to do the same.” Anyone interested in volunteering can call Sharon Waddams on 8981 7124 or email sharon.waddams@ageukeast london.org.uk Dad took great pride in being able to volunteer and inspired others to do the same.” Tracy Cunningham 2011, was a former mayor, deputy mayor and ward councillor in Tower Hamlets. He served on more than 23 voluntary organisations and believed in making a difference. He received Tower Hamlets Civic Awards in 2001 and 2007, in recognition of his voluntary service. Barry’s daughters, Tracy EAST London NHS Foundation Trust celebrated the recruitment of its thousandth volunteer at the start of National Volunteers’ Week. The 1,000 volunteers have come forward over a period of three years and applications continue to roll in on a daily basis. Ann Lacey (pictured right), volunteer coordinator, said: “Our volunteers have an enormous impact on the teams and service users they support and work with – staff regularly feedback how great they all are and their incredible commitment and reliability. “We are also starting to see a number of service users who have come forward to volunteer because of the connection they have had with volunteers. They have been encouraged to take that first step towards independence, building their confidence and self-esteem to move forward with their recovery and rehabilitation.” Volunteers in the trust are involved in a range of activities. One group meets and greets service users in older people’s services to reassure them when they arrive, while others use their skills to help out at sewing, knitting, art and gardening groups, and hairdressing and pampering sessions. Sunday activity groups are organised while other volunteers act as drivers or support for events and conferences. The trust has written to all its volunteers to thank them for their energy, enthusiasm and time, which they give for free. Trust chair Marie Gabriel said: “We are so lucky to have volunteers working with us who want to contribute to their local community and make a difference personally.” She also thanked staff who ensured that volunteers were provided with meaningful opportunities to contribute to the work of the trust. For information about volunteering for the trust, email ann.lacey@eastlondon. nhs.uk or call 7655 4169. Hezekiah Coker ADMISSION OPEN FOR YEAR 7 Secondary School & College SUBJECTS OFFERED FOR GCSE: National Curriculum Subjects: • Mathematics including Statistics and Further Mathematics • English Language and Literature • Science Core, Double and Triple • ICT • Religious Studies • History • Geography • Citizenship • Business Studies • PE Modern Foreign Languages: • Arabic • Bengali Islamic Studies: • Qirat & Tajweed • Hifz • Quran Shareef • Hadis Shareef • Fiqh • Islamic History GCSE A Levels Alim Course Ofsted Says, ‘Students achievement is good and the students are well prepared for life beyond school’. 1 Cornwall Avenue, London E2 0HW Tel. 020 8980 2673, 020 8983 3663 email: info@darulhadis.org.uk Web: www.darulhadis.org.uk 6 NEWS FROM TOWER HAMLETS COUNCIL AND YOUR COMMUNITY 23 – 29 JUNE 2014
East_End_Life_23Jun2014
To see the actual publication please follow the link above