Heather Shearlaw has been named Intergenerational Volunteer of the Year in the Intergenerational Excellence Awards run by Generations Working Together.
It recognises her voluntary work at Jaybees Childcare over the last three years.
She got involved in 2019 after been approached by a member of staff.
Initially it was expected to be a short term project but they soon realised she was great with the youngsters and she now attends every week to do a range of activities, including songs, walks, and more.
The Jaybees team nominated her for the award, saying: “Heather is a huge part of the children’s experience at Jaybees and she embraces our ethos in the ‘hive’, coming on forest adventures, walks to feed the ducks, doing our Smiley Miley– the list is endless.
“The generational benefits of this kind of project are clear to see and as a result of this, Heather has also felt a newfound sense of purpose and appreciation that she was being valued for her volunteering, rather than being defined by early-onset dementia. The children now await Heather’s visits with excitement and have even started a book of her sayings called ‘Heatherisms’.”
The award was announced and presented last week during Volunteers Week.
- Heather is pictured above, second left, with her daughter and the Jaybees owners
