A volunteer from Oldham who was named Newcomer of the Year by the charity Making Space in October has been shortlisted for a second national award.
Jane Vernon, 22 and from Higginshaw Village, is on the shortlist for the Inspirational Volunteer Award at the Women Achieving Greatness in Social Care Awards (WAGS).
The Inspirational Volunteer category “celebrates inspirational women for their impactful volunteer work in the sector, either at grassroots or a national level.” Jane will find out if she’s the overall winner of the award at a celebrity-hosted black tie gala reception in London in November.
“I was amazed that I was nominated for awards for doing something that I love, and that I want to make a career out of,” says Jane. “To find out that I’ve been shortlisted for another national award so soon after winning the award from Making Space is overwhelming, I can’t believe it’s true!”
For the second time, Jane has been recognised for the work she does with the Oldham Dementia Service. The service, which is run by adult health and social care charity Making Space, supports people with dementia and their carers. It offers practical support and advice, group activities, dementia-friendly days out and aims to ensure people don’t become isolated or lose access to social activities.
Jane, who has learning disabilities, began volunteering with the service at the suggestion of the Specialist Education Department at Oldham College, where she was undertaking an internship in Health and Social Care. She was keen to take part in the dementia groups after caring for her grandmother, who lived with dementia before passing away five years ago.
“I feel like working with people with dementia is something I can do well, and I enjoy being able to support people who are in the same position as my grandma was,” says Jane, who hopes to work in a care home when she has gained enough experience as a volunteer.
She was nominated for the WAGS award by Oldham Dementia Service adviser Annette Murray, who said: “Jane has shown resilience, empathy and kindness to all our service users. She really is an inspirational young lady who has overcome many barriers and I’m thrilled that she’s been shortlisted for this award.”
Phil Orton is the chief people officer at Making Space. “Jane is a dedicated and committed volunteer who has a natural affinity with the people she supports,” he says. “She is a shining example of the type of person the care profession needs. Everyone at Making Space wishes her the very best of luck for this award.”
The WAGS recognise accomplishments at all levels of leadership and from across the whole of the social care sector, including services for older people, people with learning disabilities or autism, and children, young people and families.
