Volunteer of the Year 2018

This award is open to all volunteers over 21 who give their time freely in order to make a positive difference in Portsmouth. The awards recognises a volunteer who embodies the true spirit of volunteering, either through volunteering for a number of groups or through actively encouraging others to be involved. It can also be someone whose length of volunteer service deserves to be recognised.

Find out more about the winner and those commended in this category by reading excerpts from their submitted nominations.

The pictures show the Award and certificates being presented by Jessica Hughes, The Southern Coop

Category Winner

Jack Wingate receives the Volunteer of the Year Award from Jessica Hughes, Southern Coop

Jack Wingate – Age UK Portsmouth

Jack has volunteered with Age UK Portsmouth since the passing of his dear wife, nearly 7 years ago. At 89 years old, he is their oldest volunteer, not that you would be able to tell! His kind and gentle manner has made him a firm favourite with our service users. Day in and day out, and in all weather conditions, Jack walks and catches the bus to travel to the Bradbury Centre on Kingston Road. We recently discovered that Jack carries out many activities in his local community as well! Jack does gardening, he helps people by writing letters on their behalf, befriending and completes shopping for multiple people… never expecting anything in return. “Jack is an inspiration to us all and I can honestly say that Age UK Portsmouth would be lost without him.”

Commended

Albert Clover – The Learning Place

Albert has been volunteering weekly at The Learning Place since 2013, supporting IT drop-in sessions, as well as Community Learning off-site. IT drop-in sessions require volunteers to have wide knowledge of IT, aiding those who are more digitally excluded from society. As the rise of online services increases, facilities such as these drop-in’s become more and more vital for our communities. Alby has been helping people from a wide range of backgrounds; from those new to using IT, job-seekers and learners who require additional IT assistance. Most recently he helped a Paralympic trainer to write her autobiography.

Wendy McCormick – St John Ambulance Portsmouth Adult Unit

Wendy is the Unit Manager for St John Ambulance Portsmouth Adult unit and has also taken on the role as Acting Area Manager. Wendy personally gave 1146 volunteer hours to St John Ambulance last year, which includes being on duty as well as leading and training her fellow volunteers in the unit, and giving 178 hours to our youth units, the Cadet and the Badgers. Wendy ensures the smooth running of the Portsmouth Units and has grown the membership over the years.

Marie Tierney- MAKE at Aldingbourne Enterprise

Marie is a burst of energy from the moment she walks in in the morning. Marie’s caring and compassionate nature shines and she makes everyone’s day brighter. Marie will usually be found under a pile of donations for our charity shop, but will turn her hand to crafts, cleaning and anything else which we need help with. As if all that wasn’t enough Marie also volunteers her time to Gig Buddies, giving someone with learning disabilities the opportunity to experience nights and days out which would otherwise be limited due to having to pay for support. “Marie has become a massive part of our team and we are so very grateful for her sharing her time with us. She is an absolute pleasure to be around. We think Marie is one in a million.”

Joyce Chivers – Rowans Hospice

Joyce is a really dedicated volunteer who does 2 regular 3 hour shift each week serving breakfast to our patients. She makes each patient feel special; she never rushes people and cannot do enough for them. Joyce will go the extra mile and can be heard laughing and joking with patients and relatives. Joyce also volunteers as a driver. She also offers a taxi service for bereaved children so they can access therapies or parties organised via the Meerkat service. Finally, Joyce is a hospice companion supporting 13 families by offering companionship and practical support to patients and their carer’s. Joyce really cares and her generous, calm and compassionate nature makes her very inspiring, and is truly a very special lady who is an asset to the Rowans Hospice