The first awards ceremony to recognise the volunteers working to keep the Bridges charity going has been held at the charity’s home in Drybridge Street.

The Volunteering for Wellbeing Project was set up in 2015 and offered the opportunity for people to volunteer in their local community and has so far seen volunteers from 14-years-old to those in their 90s get involved and make a difference.

Bridges began in 1984, known then as Bridges Community Centre and based at Hadnock Road. Since then, they have moved to the Crompton-Roberts building at Drybridge Street and gone from strength to strength.

The charity now offers support to people across the whole county, running various projects and schemes and reaching out to thousands of people.

Welcoming the people who attended, Marianne Piper, a Monmouth area volunteer co-ordinator said it was a “time to celebrate the amazing work of volunteers across the county and we certainly have some remarkable volunteers in out area.”

Giving out the awards were people who are community leaders in their own right and are already well-known for their contribution to the community.

The first award for Charity Shop Volunteer of the Year award was shared between three people, Annette Hodge, Kay Pott and Shirley Knight, (who could not be at the ceremony).

The award was handed out by CSO Joe Facchianno who praised the work of the three ladies who have volunteered at the Bridges Charity Shop since it began.

Awards for charity shop volunteers
(Des Pugh)

“From meeting and greeting customers with a welcoming smile, sorting out stock, cleaning bric-a-brac, pricing up and displaying the stock items are just some of the daily routines of a volunteer.

“Their dedication and commitment is sincerely appreciated and immeasurable,” he added.

The next award, Car Scheme Volunteer of the Year, was presented by Haydn Cullen-Jones and went to Richard Kimberley. Haydn pointed out the Bridges Community Car scheme’s two vehicles can act as a hospital car as they have wheelchair capacity and are driven by volunteer drivers such as Richard “and can relieve some of the pressure on the overburdened ambulance service”.

The next award - Monnow Vale Volunteer - was presented by Jayne Barrett who is a key link with the Monnow Vale Health and Social Care Facility (which opened in 2006) where she works as memory service and day service team lead. This award went to one man and his dog - Ian Robbie and pet-therapy dog Lucie, a black flat-coated retriever, who have volunteered since 2018 and visit the facility every week.

“Everyone looks forward to them arriving and to be able to chat whilst getting to fuss Lucie at the same time.”

The Environmental Volunteer award was presented by Town Councillor David Evans and went to Nesta Pearce. David said that she has been volunteering for longer than any of the staff here have been involved in the charity “and her dedication and hardwork, together with the team of committed ladies she works with, means the gardens surrounding the Bridges Centre are always utterly beautiful”.

Befriending Volunteer went to Jamie Griffiths and was presented by Bridges’ manager Aileen Atkinson, who said Jamie was one of the newer members of the befriending team.

Inclusion Project volunteer went to Sophie Watson who has been involved with the inclusion projects for many years. It was presented by cabinet member Cllr Catrin Maby who said that Sophie has been involved with the staff and projects at the Bridges Centre being a vital part of Social Circles volunteering team, diligently coming every week to lay tables ready for the elderly guests to enjoy their lunch.

Outstanding contribution award went to Nicola Steele who has been with Bridges since 2017 and supports the coordinator in the office as well as taking calls. Nicola could not be present at the awards so it was collected on her behalf by Aileen Atkinson

The Special Recognition Award, presented by Chair of Monmouthshire County Council Merion Howells, went to Geraldine Parker who has been involved in the Bridges Charity for 10 years, befriending the same lady who is now 99 years old.

Merion said: “This volunteer has such a gentle, kind nature and has shown real friendship and dedication to the beneficiary she visits”. He added that as well as supporting the lady she befriends, Geraldine also improves the lives of the staff at Bridges with a kind word, a smile and time for an encouraging chat.

To end the evening, Mayor of Monmouth, Cllr Tom Kirton said how amazing the town was. Moving from Chepstow to Dingestow over four years ago, he said “Monmouth has been such a welcoming wonderful place for people with passion, there is something about this place which is wonderful”.