Derby Volunteer Awards

National Volunteer Week this year was week commencing 2nd June and Community Action Derby held an awards ceremony at Derby Theatre to thank and recognise the work that Volunteers do within the voluntary sector in Derby City. There are certain categories that volunteers need to meet and we entered Dorothy Fisher as a contestant for the Shining Stars Award. This is an award for someone who has volunteered within the same organisation for over 5 years and given valuable support to this organisation. Dorothy first became known to DCA as a carer for her husband who suffered with Alzheimer’s disease. Dorothy was very vocal in Derby to promote our services and that of the Alzheimer’s Society. Sadly, her husband died several years ago after a long battle with this disease and Dorothy became a volunteer and helped at displays and nurses/social worker talks. She was a regular at these talks and promotes Carers services continually in the City. Dorothy also helps support her daughter who is disabled and her grandson who has Autism. We know we can count on Dorothy to represent DCA at stands and displays and she is a regular at the Falls Prevention and Parkinson Days. Dorothy also celebrated her 80th birthday this year and is recovering from a hip operation.
We entered Dorothy and were over the moon when she won the Shining Stars Award! Now, how to get her to the awards without her knowing? I gave her a call and asked her, please can you come along to this event to represent volunteers and I really need someone? Yes, of course, when is it? So off we went along with my colleague Kye, Dorothy with her crutches but determined. I did say there would be a surprise!
The first 45 minutes was wonderful, there was a show by members of Steps to the Future, drama, dance and singing followed by refreshments. Then the awards. All volunteers who were nominated were given a certificate and Dorothy thought that was it. Then the trophies came out and when Simon Hancox from Community Action read out our entry for the Shining Stars I am glad to say that Dorothy had no idea! She was presented with her trophy by the deputy Mayor of Derby.
Dorothy, thank you, you are truly wonderful. Next year we are hoping to enter more of our volunteers for awards and recognition for the wonderful support that they give DCA. Watch this space. – Lisa Hallsworth (Volunteer Co-ordinator, Derby City)