On Friday 10th February, some of our main awardees from Dudley Volunteer Awards 2016 enjoyed a tour of the Council Chamber and tea with the Mayor and Mayoress.

On Friday 10th February, some of our main awardees from Dudley Volunteer Awards 2016 enjoyed a tour of the Council Chamber and tea with the Mayor and Mayoress.
We are delighted to let you know about a very special edition of our newsletter, celebrating Dudley Volunteer Awards 2016 🙂
Age UK Dudley are extremely proud to have nominated one of their most long serving volunteers, Mrs Judy Nicholls, and also one of their youngest…and cuddliest, Bailey, a 6 month old Doberman puppy for an award through Dudley Volunteer Awards 2016.
The Age UK Daybreak centre in Ettymoor Road, Sedgley, provides a warm, welcoming, safe environment for older people to take part in activities and make friends in the aim to reduce isolation and loneliness.
Judy has lovingly devoted her time to support and befriend local people at the Daybreak centre for over 12 years and is an honoured member of the team. Ms Jenny Bates Co-ordinator of Age UK Dudley’s Daybreak service, and owner of Bailey, said:
“Judy is a much valued member of the Sedgley Daybreak team, the service simply would not be the same without her.”
Since Bailey became a fully badged volunteer he has frequently visited the centre spending his time providing companionship, cuddles and unlimited licks and dribble, promoting the organisation and proudly wearing his volunteer badge.
“Bailey loves to visit the centres to see his friends and as a working breed he has to earn his treats like everyone else! He can sense when he needs to be gentle around our clients and behave accordingly, unlike when he is at home!”
Age UK’s volunteer manager Mrs Rene Evans said:
“Dogs have an amazing talent to bond with people and Bailey is no exception. Our clients love having him around and really look forward to his visits.”
Bailey continues to provide cuddles to enrich the lives of older people, in between his other interests including eating toast and nose-diving shepherd’s pie.
Our main awardees at last week’s Dudley Volunteer Awards were all presented with a hand-made brass medal, lovingly made by students from Argent College [part of Glasshouse College]. We feel these unique mementoes are the perfect way to celebrate amazing volunteers from our local communities, who really go the extra mile.
Dave Brownhill was awarded our most prestigious award of the evening, the Gordon Lindsay Award for long service in volunteering and was the unanimous choice of our Panel. He was presented with his Award by Richard Boot OBE, Deputy Lieutenant and here he is on the evening. Why not visit the GORDON LINDSAY AWARD page to watch the fabulous nomination video and see just what makes Dave so very special.
This year’s main awardee in the ARTS AND HERITAGE category, started with a local theatre company as a youngster and loved it so much, she’s now a choreographer. Sally Evans was the unanimous choice to receive this prestigious award and why not visit the page to see the video and photos?
This year’s amazing batch of young volunteers are all fabulous role models for other young people and dispel negative myths about young people! Harry Gibbons and George Langford, received the joint Main Award, closely followed by Marissa Evans, Holly Westwood and Primrose Community Church Youth Team. Why not visit our RAY McGUIRK YOUNG VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR page to see the photos, video and stories?
There was a plethora of amazing nominations for the Sporting Champion category and I think you will agree, that Paul Gough was a worthy Main Awardee, along with with our Highly Commended awardees – Inclusive Sports Volunteers and Harilal Patel. Why not visit the SPORTING CHAMPION page to see photos, video and lots of info about the recipients.