A VOLUNTEER who runs a Herefordshire project offering respite to people with dementia and their carers has won a prestigious award.

Anne Parsons, who leads the helpers at Ross Meeting Centre, in the town’s Methodist Christ Church, has just been named one of Methodist Insurance’s 11 regional winners in its national Church Volunteer Awards.

She beat hundreds of other nominees, winning a £1,000 prize for her church, and she now goes forward to a national final where she stands to win even more.

The centre was set up four years ago, after a moving encounter when a despairing husband brought his wife to the church – she had dementia, and he didn’t know where to turn.

Church member Anne said: “The gentleman was an atheist, but his wife was Christian and he was bringing her to services to help her. He suggested we might look at the Dutch Meeting Centre model of dementia care

“The ethos is to help both the person with dementia and their carer socialise together, via mental and physical exercises, remembering old times, and taking part in singing, music, and arts and crafts.

“I’d worked with students with learning difficulties, so had transferable skills. We also have retired carers, a former GP whose medical knowledge is very helpful, and two people who came with their mothers, and who decided they would like to help when their mothers sadly died.”

The centre – which is self-funded, but receives support from local charities – currently helps eight people and their carers. It is run by 16 volunteers who all give up their time freely.

One lady said, ‘It has been a great benefit to my mother and me. Anne’s vision, commitment, drive, and determination are admirable.’

Christ church secretary Anne Downing, who nominated Mrs Parsons, said: “Anne’s the sort of person who is hardly noticed but is absolutely indispensable. She sees her role as sharing the kingdom with volunteers and members in a practical way.”

Anne herself said: “It’s a great honour to be nominated, but it’s really about the meeting centre and what we all do there to express God’s love and reach out into the community.”

Michael Angell, CEO of Methodist Insurance, said: “At a time when society can seem increasingly inward-looking, and when so many people feel lonely and isolated, the voluntary efforts of Methodists in their churches and wider communities is humbling and inspiring, and we are delighted to be able to celebrate their wonderful efforts.”

The Methodist Insurance Church Volunteer Awards competition was launched last June, and saw Methodist churches throughout the country invited to nominate volunteers for their exemplary work in their churches and local communities.

Members of the public are able to vote for their favourite at the Methodist Insurance website with the results from this vote being combined with the scores from the Methodist Insurance national judging panel to determine the national winner.

Voting is open until July 15 with National Winner being revealed in October where they will receive an additional £2,000 donation for their church.