National Volunteers Week celebrates Derby man who gives up free time to help people with dementia
National Volunteers Week, from 1 to 7 June, is an annual celebration of the contribution millions of people make across the UK through volunteering in their communities.
In Derby we’re incredibly fortunate to have the support of local volunteers to help us reach hundreds of people across the town.
One such volunteer is Tony Ward, 72 and from Sinfin, Derby. Tony volunteers with the Derby City Dementia Support Team and has transformed the activities on offer for people with dementia and their families. He’s so committed to the group that he’s even cancelled holidays so he doesn’t miss the sessions.
A master of quizzes and with an encyclopaedic knowledge of music, he spends hours chatting to our group members, finding out what they enjoy, taking a real interest in their lives, talking about the music they love and the topics they’re interested in so he can be sure there’s always something they’ll recognise and appreciate. This is so important and valuable for people with dementia, and Tony brings something new to the sessions every week.
As well as devoting a great deal of his time to the music and quizzes, Tony volunteered to drive the minibus on trips for our group members. But he doesn’t just drive the bus: he researches the locations and their history, compiles guides and hands out booklets for everyone on the trip. It’s a phrase that’s often overused, Tony literally does go the extra mile – he’ll go out of his way to make sure people see the sights they want to see.
He’s warm, enthusiastic, energetic and helpful, and the people he supports adore him.
Tony really does make a difference, and this National Volunteer Week everyone at Making Space celebrates Tony and the thousands of people like him who give up their spare time to help others.
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