Recognising our volunteers

Contact the Elderly (now Re-engage) currently has almost 9,000 dedicated volunteers who give up their time to bring friendship back into the lives of older people.

Without volunteers, the work of Contact the Elderly would not be possible.

A handful of our most dedicated volunteers were honoured at an awards ceremony with the Marsh Christian Trust.

On Wednesday 13 July, Contact the Elderly held its AGM in London and presented volunteers with certificates and prizes as a way of showing our appreciation for all their hard work.

The recipients of the awards were displayed the impressive levels of dedication and kindness that make Contact the Elderly volunteers so special. The highest honour was awarded to Sheila Glazebrook.

Sheila is one of only two volunteers in the country who has completed 50 years of service to Contact the Elderly, after she joined a London group as a volunteer in 1965. In 1976, Sheila moved to Oxford and became Coordinator Driver and host of Oxford 1 group. In 2010, she planned and started Oxford 2 group and in 2012 she launched Oxford 3 group and continues to coordinate all three groups, whilst also planning a 4th group for Oxford in 2016. Sheila also assisted two other Oxfordshire groups, in Wallingford and Abingdon, in order to help accelerate their launch.

As well as her extensive dedication to her groups, Sheila has taken part in extensive PR work for Contact the Elderly’s national office and is always willing to positively promote the charity at both a local and national level. Sheila is a truly inspiring volunteer and over the last 50 years has helped countless older people to enjoy a Sunday afternoon of socialising once a month.

As well as Sheila, this Award scheme recognised a further 20 volunteers from communities across the UK who have worked tirelessly to provide support networks and companionship for older people. From arranging tea parties and excursions, to partnering with local organisations and promoting volunteering, these volunteers have been instrumental to the work of Contact the Elderly.

Mary Rance, CEO of Contact the Elderly, also unveiled a new video of Contact the Elderly guests made possible thank to the generosity of Bailie Gifford.

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Note - Contact the Elderly is now Re-engage