Darlington Building Society has honoured a member of staff who dedicates a substantial amount of her spare time, including holidays, to a project which supports young adults with learning and physical disabilities.
Kelly Barker, a mortgage administrator, was named as Volunteer of the Year at the Society’s annual staff conference.
The 23-year-old volunteers at The Options Project, based in Newton Aycliffe, which is managed by the charity, The Pioneering Care Partnership. It provides educational and social opportunities to promote independence, choice and personal development.
Among its service provision is a social club where members meet and make new friends, and take part in activities such as pool, table tennis, bingo and discos. The project also gives carers a break from their responsibilities.
Kelly helps out for two and a half hours at the social club every other week. She also spends some of her holidays supporting special events held by The Options Project such as lunches and art sessions.
Kelly, who lives in Bishop Auckland, has been a volunteer at the charity for two years.
She said: “The Social Club is a wonderful asset to the community. Not only does it provide for its members the opportunity to play games, socialise and make new friends and have an entertaining evening out, it also allows carers to have a much-needed break.
“I never expected to be officially recognised for volunteering at The Options Project. I was so overwhelmed I cried when I was presented with the award. I love helping out at the project, it is such a rewarding experience.”
Kevin McGuinness, a non-executive director of Darlington Building Society said: “Kelly is making a real difference to the community and should be commended for the amount of time she dedicates to The Options Project.
“She reflects the positive contribution that young people make to society and she is a worthy winner of the Society’s inaugural annual volunteer award. It is also inspiring to see staff such as Kelly embracing Darlington Building Society’s ‘Looking After Local Interests’ ethos.”
Darlington Building Society encourages all its staff to participate in volunteering in the community and are allowed to take at least one full day off each year on full pay on such activities. Many staff members however, Kelly included, also volunteer to support their communities in their own time in the evenings and at weekends.
The Options Social Club is held fortnightly at the Pioneering Care Centre, Carers Way, Newton Aycliffe on a Thursday 6pm-8pm. Anyone wanting to know more please contact the Centre on 01325 321234 or email: [email protected]