Heart of ExtraCare Awards – 2023

With 194 nominations the 2023 Heart of ExtraCare awards have crowned eight worthy winners! With four external volunteers and four resident volunteers honoured the awards celebrate volunteers nominated across all 20 ExtraCare locations, shops and head office staff.

Among this year’s winners were:

Cynthia Campbell, Head Office

Cynthia is an external volunteer who has been supporting the retail team at ExtraCare’s head office with several tasks, scanning, filing, data entry and sorting post being just a few.

Cynthia  comments: “I feel honoured and proud to be receiving this award, even though it did take me by surprise! I know all the retail staff appreciate all that I do for them and that is why they put me forward. In the year or so since I started here, I have learnt so much. Everyone helps me and I feel part of a team. I have gained so much experience. When I leave at the end of my shift, I feel so rewarded.”

Ravinder Singh Kundra, Earlsdon Park

Ravinder is an external volunteer who supports Earlsdon Park running music classes, befriending and performing at our Diwali and Eid events.

Ravinder comments: ‘I feel valued by getting this award. It leaves me further motivated to do such things for others wherever possible. It also gives me a purpose for my life that might help me stay fit and healthy. Now I can motivate people. I’ve been volunteering for two years externally and I’m 72 now. I don’t want to sit and do nothing; I want to get up and do something.”

Ray and Mary Lucas, Earlsdon Park

Resident volunteers at Earlsdon Park Village. Ray and Mary have worked selflessly to run groups and activities for residents with Dementia. Mary helped with catering and Ray helped with parking when they first moved to the village. The husband-and-wife duo now each run a dementia support group once a week and talk to people with hourly sessions. Mary’s class is for women, Ray’s for men. They also support an hour and a half brain power session on a Tuesday morning, at that they have games including darts, hoopla etc to assist cognitive skills.  

On the award Mary comments: “We are blown away really. We do it because we do it. It’s the way we are. The amount of people who’ve said you’re doing a grand job has left us going wow!” 

Sarah Duggan, Reeve Court

External volunteer at Reeve Court was nominated for going above and beyond with her voluntary work within the bistro. She has been serving in the bistro since 2015.

Sarah commented: “It was completely unexpected I was very shocked I was overwhelmed with how many people came to see me receive the award. I’ve very happy and grateful and so proud to work at ExtraCare.”

Keith Tomlin, Solihull Village

Resident volunteer at Solihull Village. Keith volunteers on reception and runs quiz nights and other events. He stage manages which involves helping with the technology when there is a band in, setting up the rooms, dealing with the artist, and compering the shows.

Keith adds: “It’s an honour to be awarded. It’s nice to know you’ve been appreciated and the work your doing is being valued. I do it because I love it and get great satisfaction knowing that an event has been run how it should.”

Pauline Ashby, Sunley Court

External volunteer Pauline runs and assists with activity groups several times a week. She also helps with events and is out in all weathers tending to residents’ gardens. Pauline even came in last Christmas day to help the staff provide an enjoyable Christmas day.  

Pauline comments: “It feels absolutely amazing and totally unexpected to win. I started off eight years ago volunteering one day a week. This has gradually grown to 3 days a week and sometimes more. I love the company, I love helping people and I enjoy a good laugh, which we have most days.”

Millie Gobbinsingh, Pannel Croft

Resident volunteer Millie Gobbinsingh has spent years volunteering at Pannel Croft. She has taken part in Windrush Celebrations and has celebrated communities in conjunction with the Commonwealth Games. She supports staff by promoting activities for residents and is a befriender.

Congratulations to all of this year’s winners in all eight of the awards! Our volunteers really are at the heart of ExtraCare and all we do and we are incredibly grateful to you all.