This is an excellent achievement and was well deserved for all of the reasons described below by Jean Archer, Physiotherapist at Ty Olwen, who nominated Trish for the award. Our volunteers at Ty Olwen are an exceptional and very dedicated team and it is fantastic that this has been recognised.
Jean Archer, Senior Palliative Care Physiotherapist at Ty-Olwen Hospice, said: “Trish should win the Volunteer category because she pours her heart and soul into her work. She has been a volunteer at the Day Centre in Ty-Olwen for the last 10 years where she plays a crucial part in making the patients feel at home and secure.
“She is a good listener, but she is also sensitive enough to realise that some patients don’t want to talk about their cancer.
“The health professionals in Day-Centre are all specialists in palliative care but it would be extremely difficult to run the Centre without the support and dedication of our team of volunteers. Trish stands out as a volunteer because she is so dedicated to her work. She doesn’t drive and relies on a lift but she always arrives early to start making cups of tea for the patients when they arrive just after 10 am and throughout the day she is cheerful, bright, energetic and always puts the patients’ needs first. She is also a huge support to the health professionals who work in Day-Centre because some days can be very upsetting and difficult for us to cope with. Just knowing she is there to talk to helps to support us in our work.
“Trish is an exceptional volunteer and completely dedicated to her role; the staff and patients think the world of her and she deserves recognition by winning this prestigious award.”
In May Swansea’s annual Clyne in Bloom garden festival was launched in proper style — with a nice cup of tea and a slice of cake.
Visitors to the year’s floral feast were able to enjoy the displays while taking advantage of some refreshments thanks to volunteers from Ty Olwen, Clyne and Pennard Golf Clubs and Swansea Soroptomists.
Throughout May, Trustee Margaret Cain, who organised the event, was supported by an army of 48 helpers who served up tasty treats and raised over £5000 towards Ty Olwen.
To mark the opening of the tea marquee popular BBC Radio Wales broadcaster Chris Needs — along with his dog Buster — popped in to meet the volunteers and raise a cuppa to the fundraisers.
Margaret has arranged for us have the refreshment tent in 2012.
