Volunteer is top (From Campaign Series)

Volunteer is top

4:50pm Thursday 3rd July 2008

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A VOLUNTEER who is going strong at the age of 80 has won the top award for his work.

Noel Young MBE aged 80, who is from Cwmbran but travels all the way from his home to Ystrad Mynach Hospital to volunteer for League of Friends there, has been presented with the Supreme Volunteer for 2008 award for his outstanding contribution to volunteer work in the community.

This year's Voluntary Sector Achievement Awards, run by Caerphilly county borough council and GAVO, and sponsored by Caerphilly Campaign Series attracted entries from people of all ages and walks of life.

Noel stood out among other outstanding entries for his commitment to caring for others, ranging from Barnardo's children and young people through to adults with learning disabilities. Noel also visits older people in hospitals, residential care and in their own homes.

Noel has been involved with Barnardo's from the time he was a child in their care. He is an organiser for the Hospital League of Friends including Ystrad Mynach Hospital and Llanfrechfa Grange in Cwmbran. He also works with people with learning disabilities from Caerphilly county borough who have just been discharged from hospital.

Speaking about his volunteering, Noel said: "Lads and lasses who couldn't read or tell the tell the time, now have their own independence in their own flats.

"It's lovely to go shopping and see them out shopping with their carers - I never thought I'd see that. That gives me a lot of pleasure, an awful lot of pleasure. We arrange to go out and have a drink or meet somewhere for lunch. To me, they're my family.

"I get a lot of pleasure out of helping other people, probably because of my background. If someone from Barnardo's hadn't helped me, where would I be now?"

Noel has played a leading role in setting up an allotment project at Windy Ridge, Pontllanfraith with support from Caerphilly county borough council's social services.

The project started out as a few allotments where people with learning disabilities could tend a few vegetables and flowers. However, the project has developed into a thriving horticultural base equipped with a greenhouse and polytunnels plus a log cabin which is used for training purposes.

The Garden Clearance Scheme, a partnership with the council's Community Support Services and the Supporting People team, won the 'Environmental Volunteers' award.

The scheme supports people with learning disabilities to gain hands-on work experience while expanding their gardening and communication skills. It provides a service to residents of the county borough who are older, disabled or suffering from ill health and are unable to tend to their gardens.

Cabinet member for social services, Judith Pritchard said: "I would like to congratulate Noel on his award - it is thoroughly deserved. The work carried out by Noel, the Garden Clearance Scheme and Windy Ridge is truly worthwhile and clearly of benefit to the whole community.

"My congratulations also go to the other winners who all deserve to be recognised for their wonderful volunteer work."

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