Volunteer Link Up volunteer wins award

OCVA hosted a volunteer celebration event on Wednesday June 1st 2022 to recognise the achievements of volunteers across the County.

Volunteer Link Up was delighted to celebrate the achievements of our volunteer, Ken Birch, who won the Long Service Volunteer Award.

Ken says, “I feel really pleased and proud to have been nominated for an award and then to go on and win the Long Service Volunteer Award is just fantastic!”

Ken has volunteered with us for 37 years, having registered with us in 1985. Since then he has been active and involved in all our projects with only a few gaps of very short duration in his volunteering. Initially he mowed lawns and tidied gardens for people who could not do this for themselves. However, since 1990 he has concentrated on driving and shopping for people. These drives have been to day centres, doctor’s appointments, dentist appointments, podiatry appointments, special schools and other places. Ken has always been willing to help if he can and never minds being called. He is utterly reliable and dependable. We knew that people would be well looked after with him when we arranged a drive. People appreciated his quiet manner, friendliness and unflappability.

As he was happy to take on regular transport or shopping commitments he saved us a great deal of time ringing people every week to find a volunteer. He is always willing to bang the drum for Volunteer Link Up and helped on stalls at the trade fairs and with any recruitment campaigns. Ken has been a valuable asset to Volunteer Link Up!