Awards for Volunteers in Hampshire

Lady Judith Colman, a SeeAbility Vice President, presented awards on World Sight Day (Thursday October 9th) to volunteers at Fairways, SeeAbility's care home for adults with a visual impairment and additional disabilities in Fleet.

Jill Duncan, Barbara Lyons and Harry Barrett all received their awards for 5 years service as volunteers at Fairways while Annie Pearce received an award for 3 years.

Annie has become a valuable member of the volunteering team and visits Fairways 2-3 times a week to escort residents on local shopping trips and visits to the garden centre.  Annie says, "I love it at Fairways as I feel I am helping make a real difference to the lives of the people who live here."

Volunteers can help in a wide range of activities - everything from DIY and gardening to cookery, arts and crafts or taking residents out for a walk through the town and spending time to have a chat over a cup of tea. 

Tim Partridge, SeeAbility's National Volunteer Manager, comments, "Volunteers play a vital role at SeeAbility.  We aim to provide a person-centred approach to care which enables people to maximise their independence.  Volunteers help our residents integrate into the local community as well as confidence building.  We are extremely grateful to all our volunteers."

Lady Colman joined the award winners and the residents of Fairways for an informal chat about the ways volunteers had made a difference to their lives.

For more information about volunteering at Fairways, please contact Ruth Hutton on 01252 815256.