Age UK Ealing Celebrates The Queen's Platinum Jubilee
Event also honours the work of the charity's local volunteers
Over 100 people attended the event in Greenford. Picture: Adam Duke Photography
Over 100 people including an MP and the Mayor of Ealing gathered at the Greenford Community Centre this month to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
Many of the service users in attendance, at the event part funded by the National Lottery Community Fund and other sponsors including estate agents Go View London, have memories of the Queen’s coronation.
Ealing’s newly-elected mayor, Cllr. Mohinder Midha, joined other invited guests – including Cllr. Aysha Raza, Cabinet Member for Tackling Inequality, and James Murray, Labour (Co-op) MP for Ealing North – for a street party in the grounds of the building which is home to Age UK Ealing’s popular Day Centre.
The party, on Wednesday 1 June, also honoured the work of Age UK Ealing’s volunteers as it was taking place during Volunteer’s Week, a national event which occurs from 1-7 June every year. One of those receiving an award was long-standing volunteer Elizabeth Rowell, who is 83 and has been providing Age UK Ealing with support for over 23 years.
Her commitment, along with that of fellow volunteers Jo Buckley, Susan Collins, Katrina Dawson, Amit Dhiman, Victoria Manning, Rasila Mehta, Christine Warman and Joy Warman, was recognised in a special ceremony.
After receiving her Long Service Award, Elizabeth said: “I am so honoured to receive this recognition. I became a volunteer when I took early retirement from the BBC in 1998 and wanted to do something helpful. I love volunteering for Age UK Ealing and spending time with all my wonderful friends here.”
Age UK Ealing's longest serving volunteer Elizabeth Rowell receives an award. Picture: Adam Duke Photography
Sonia Myrie, Head of Services at Age UK Ealing said, “Elizabeth is the longest standing volunteer at Age UK Ealing. She is incredibly dedicated and consistent, having seen a lot of changes during her 23 years working for Age UK Ealing – all of which she has taken on board. Every Friday she can be found in the Information and Advice office and she is always thorough, warm and humble. We value her support very highly, and she continues to be an inspiration 23 years after she first came to volunteer for us.”
James Murray MP at the event. Picture: Adam Duke Photography
There was entertainment from West Ealing’s Love2Sing Choir, who led a singalong of Jubilee ‘anthem’ Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond. There was also music from local swing band The Don Stuart Duo and steelband The Metronome Steel Orchestra, as well as stalls showcasing goods
and services from local businesses including The Cake House London and Blooms by Eberé. A variety of other companies – including Papillion Café, Cinnamon on the Lane, Busby’s Hair & Beauty, The Pitshanger Bookshop, Mooch Pitshanger, The Ealing Project, The Jolly Activities Club, Chanel Productions, Baby Sensory South Harrow, Tesco Ealing Broadway, Tesco Perivale and Waitrose West Ealing – provided further refreshments, fundraising, and raffle prizes. Tetley UK and Salesforce provided volunteers to help staff the event.
Volunteers and service users were invited.Picture: Adam Duke Photography
Charles Lowe, Chair of Age UK Ealing, paid tribute to those who work tirelessly to help ensure Age UK Ealing’s valuable services can be accessed by older people across the borough.
Jo Buckley who has been an Age UK Ealing Volunteer Receptionist & Telephone Befriender for 8 years received a Long Service Award.
Jo's manager Sonia Myrie, said, “Jo volunteers for both our Information and Advice and Befriending services, so you could call her an all-rounder. She has worked hard to establish relationships with the people she befriends. It was evident that her clients really appreciate her, because when Jo became ill recently one of her clients came into the office to bring a gift and a card to be forwarded to her. To add to this, from her hospital bed Jo sent us messages to pass onto her clients, which just reinforces her level of dedication. She is a great volunteer and we can't wait to have her back.”
Susan Collins has been an Age UK Ealing Volunteer Day Centre Helper for five years and received a Long Service and an Outstanding Service Award. Susan's manager Jan O’Hagan, Day Centre Manager, said, “Sue is an extremely dedicated member of the team and has spent the last few years helping us in the Day Centre. She is very efficient, reliable and flexible. Sue has amazing skill with individuals who come to the Day Centre and may need a little more encouragement and support. All our clients enjoy the weekly visits from Sue, and throughout lockdown she continued to offer support by phoning clients regularly over the weeks.”
Susan said, “I started volunteering after learning about the loneliness older people can experience. I felt I would like to help out at the Day Centre as I had some time to offer. I think the Day Centre is a very welcoming and friendly place for both clients and volunteers. I really enjoy listening and talking with the clients, hearing their varied life experiences and assisting with the activities.”
Katrina Dawson received an Outstanding Service Award for her work as a Volunteer Telephone Befriender/Neighbourly Connector. Katrina Katrina’s manager Sonia Myrie, said of her, “Katrina's work ethic and commitment is an inspiration to everyone at Age UK Ealing – staff and Volunteers alike. She thinks of creative ways to stay in contact with her clients, for example through video calls and group events. She has hosted meet-ups for clients to help them develop networks and widen their social circle, and she does all of this with a positive attitude, a smile on her face and a can-do attitude – and all of this whilst also working in a demanding job, in addition to her volunteer role.”
Katrina said, “I know that some older people can feel lonely, and I always take great pleasure in being a friend – spending time with people, checking they are feeling ok, helping to sort out any issues that might give them trouble such as doctor appointments, bills, and so on. Life can be overwhelming at times for everyone, and even more so if you are alone and growing old without much interaction with other people. I like to feel that I can bring people in that situation a bit of joy, connection and love. And they always have lovely life stories to tell and good advice to give!”
Amit Dhiman fills the same role as Katrina and also received an Outstanding Service Award. Amit's manager Sonia Myrie, said, “Amit is an extremely conscientious and dedicated volunteer. He advocates for and supports his clients in order to improve their safety and well-being. He is proactive, and whenever he perceives a problem, he is always ready to also present a solution. He has a real can-do approach and is ready to help his clients in any way that he is able. On many occasions, he has gone above and beyond what is expected of him. He is flexible in his approach to his role, and will often call his clients daily if he feels that they are in need of extra support. He is prompt and reliable, keeping the Befriending team updated on how his clients are doing. Amit is an incredibly valued member of the team, and the attachment and care he has for his clients shines through in every interaction.”
Amit said, "I got into volunteering during the pandemic, after watching a section on the news that followed a volunteer checking in with their client. Listening to the way they described their experience, and the stories of their clients, reminded me of my own grandparents and how blessed they are to have family around them. It inspired me to get in touch with Age UK Ealing and I haven't looked back since. I love talking to people and thought: 'why not dedicate some time doing what I love, with people who need it?' It costs me nothing but a weekly commitment and gives me back a rewarding sense of connection and genuine friendship." –
Victoria Manning has been an Age UK Ealing Volunteer Telephone Befriender for six years and received a Long Service Award. Victoria's manager Sonia Myrie said, “Victoria is one of our most dedicated volunteers. She cares deeply for the people she calls, and over the years has gone above and beyond her role as a Befriender in order to improve the wellbeing of her clients, and provide support and reassurance. She is a doggedly-determined advocator. Over the years, she has helped many clients through some serious and life-changing events. She is one of our most consistent and reliable volunteers.”
Victoria said, “I started volunteering after my grandmother died. She was the last of my grandparents and I knew I still wanted older people in my life, so volunteering as a befriender for Age UK Ealing seemed the perfect solution. I enjoy hearing about the lives of my friends, and it is lovely to know that I help their well-being simply by listening and giving them the opportunity to talk.” –
Rasila Mehta has worked as Volunteer Receptionist for seven years and received a Long Service and an Outstanding Service Award. Rasila's manager Sonia Myrie, said “Rasila works with the Information and Advice team as a Volunteer Receptionist, but in reality she does much more. Rasila goes out of her way to help the clients, especially where there is a language barrier. Rasila is hard working and will always go 'above and beyond' for the clients. She has a strong work ethic - as soon as she comes into the office, often with her coat still on, she will say: ‘Is there anything you want me to do?’
"Rasila is well-respected by all our staff, and her efforts have not gone unnoticed. Rasila is also a carer, looking after a relative with some very complex needs, but whatever else she has going on, she always honours her commitments to Age UK Ealing in every way that she can. Rasila speaks at least 3 different languages, which she uses to help clients. No matter what other commitments she has, Rasila will always come to volunteer at Age UK Ealing with a positive outlook – in her words: ‘A lot of people have no one else, so if we don’t help who will?’ She is often looked to for guidance by her colleagues because of her wealth of knowledge. She is incredibly resilient, and shows an abundance of commitment.”
Rasila said, “When my caring responsibilities forced me to give up my high-profile city job, I decided to give up a few hours a week of my time to give something back to the community. Inspired by my late parents, my choice fell on Age UK Ealing. I enjoy my volunteering role as it is full of challenges, gives me satisfaction and a sense warmth – especially when there is a sigh of relief from people as I am helping them. Pre-pandemic, whenever I was carrying out my volunteer reception duties I would observe our service users waiting to be seen, looking anxious, worried and tense. But once their issues had been discussed, they would leave the office with a smile or even offer a hug. This would be my biggest achievement – it makes my role so worthwhile. I feel very motivated by the people I help. I try to be a good listener, and to assure them Age UK Ealing is their platform and voice!”
Christine Warman has been an Age UK Ealing Volunteer Day Centre Helper for five years and received a Long Service and an Outstanding Service Award. Christine's manager Jan O’Hagan, said, “Christine, alongside her sister Joy, is a devoted member of our team. She is very caring and understanding towards all clients, especially those who may need a little more support. She's a fabulous bingo caller, and has made the regular Day Centre bingo game her own. She is also extremely generous, both with the gifts she offers her bingo winners and the time she gives to clients. Curing lockdown, she continued to work with clients and offer support over the phone.”
Christine said, “I started as a driver for my sister, Joy – then one day while waiting for her I began to help with other tasks at the Day Centre, and it just grew from there. One day there was no bingo caller available, so I started calling a bingo game, and here I am still doing it!”
Joy Warman has worked as a Day Centre Helper for six years and also received a Long Service and an Outstanding Service Award. Jan O’Hagan said of her, “Joy is a highly committed member of our team. She regularly initiates and managers the Art and Crafts events at the Day Centre, and all the clients look forward to Joy’s weekly visit. Joy is extremely good at listening and understanding individual client needs. During lockdown she organises regular bingo calls every week. Her generosity is outstanding – like her sister Christine, Joy donates weekly bingo gifts, as well as prize items and presents for staff and clients.”
Joy said, “I was looking for a way to pay something back for the blessings I feel I have received in my life. Much to my surprise, the volunteer work for Age UK Ealing has given me much more than I expected – I feel even more blessed to be able to help in some small way the lovely older people (me included, as I am 81!) at the Day Centre. They give me moments of great joy and happiness."
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June 8, 2022