Harrogate Easier Living Project (HELP) volunteer, Jane Lishman, has been shortlisted to receive the ‘Volunteer of the Year’ Award in the forthcoming North Yorkshire County Council (NYCC) Community Awards.
Jane is one of five shortlisted volunteers from across North Yorkshire whose outstanding commitment to volunteering has been recognised by organisers of the Community Awards. This scheme has been set up by NYCC to celebrate the wealth of voluntary work undertaken across the county which help to make local neighbourhoods a better place in which to live and work.
Jane was nominated by HELP for her dedication to supporting older and vulnerable people to get out and about in the community. Jane offers many hours every week as a befriender for HELP’s Opening Doors service where she accompanies clients to get where they need and wish to get to. Her familiar, friendly face offers much-needed social contact for clients, many of whom rarely leave the home.
Jane is also a voluntary driver for HELP’s voluntary car driving service ‘Driving Force’ and offers vital transport to enable local people to get to appointments and to make essential trips.
Jane is an outstanding volunteer who dedicates enormous amounts of time and energy to others. She does not dedicate set times to volunteering, instead takes the approach that “if I can do it, I will” and offers her services seven days a week where necessary. Jane has a kind, caring and compassionate manner which reassures the people she supports in her volunteering and has brought about positive effects on our clients’ well-being.
In addition to her voluntary work with HELP, Jane also offers her time to several other local voluntary local organisations where she replicates this level of commitment.
The winner and runners-up will be announced at an Awards Ceremony to be held in the Pavilions of Harrogate on 21st October 2016. A full list of nominations can be found at http://www.northyorks.gov.uk/article/31736/Community-awards
