Volunteer of the Year and Honoured Townsperson Awards
Wareham Town Council celebrated the unsung heroes of the local community with their annual Volunteer of the Year award.
The award honours the dedication to service and selflessness of local residents, and was awarded at the Council’s Christmas reception in December. The evening was attended by local groups and organisations who dedicate their time at various events throughout the town.
Heroes of the local community... Jillian Heys and Carol Turner
Volunteer of the Year - Jillian Heys
This year the ‘Volunteer of the Year’ was awarded to Mrs Jillian Heys, MNDA (Moto Neurone Disease Association). Jillian was nominated by her friend, Christine Morrison.
Christine told Wareham Town Council ‘I would like to nominate Mrs. Jillian Heys (was Coffen) who has worked tirelessly supporting and raising funds for the East Dorset and New Forest Branch of Motor Neurone Disease. Jill’s mum died over 37 years ago of MNDA, when not much was known about the disease. After the death of her mum, Jill began volunteering for MNDA and has continued to do so. The Branch raises money and awareness of the disease and supports those with the disease and those affected by it.
Jill has done so much good work without expecting any recognition… but I feel that now, she should be given the recognition by the town that she was born in, and she has lived, for most of her 69 years. Jill lives at Northmoor with her husband David.”
Find out more about the local MNDA branch on their website at https://www.mndassociation.org/support-and-information/local-support/branches/east-dorset-and-new-forest-branch
Honoured Townsperson - Carol Turner
During the reception, former Mayor of Wareham, Carol Turner was awarded the ‘Honoured Townsperson.’ The award is presented to local residents who have made an exceptional and outstanding contribution to the town.
Carol has served as a Councillor of Wareham Town Council for many years and was honoured with the position of becoming Mayor in 2014/15 and 2018/19 and finally in 2023/24. She stood down from the council in May 2024.
Carol Turner started the Wareham and Purbeck MS Society (now Friends of MS Purbeck) in the 1980’s after her first husband David Friday (a police officer), was diagnosed with and later died of MS (1985). Over the years she has been involved in raising hundreds of thousands of pounds for the MS charity and for other good causes in the town. She is also Chair of the Parish Hall Committee, raising money to improve the amenities of the hall, as well as being involved in the provision of Christmas meals for those in need in the town.
Cllr Vera Green nominated Carol for the Honoured Townsperson Award. She has said ‘I nominated Carol as a very worthy recipient. I felt it was very well deserved for her work in the community. Whenever there is an event on in Wareham, Carol is always there, well liked in the town and beyond when she has been Mayor.’
As well as the presentation of the award at the Christmas reception, Carol Turner’s name will be inscribed on the Wareham honours board in the town council chamber.
Find out more about the Friend of MS Purbeck on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/friendsofMSPurbeck/
Interview with Carol Turner
What does it mean to be awarded the Title Honoured Townsperson?
‘Looking back Service to and in the community is something that I have always undertaken throughout my life and something which “God Willing” I will continue to do for as long as I possibly can and to be awarded this Honour and to be included on the Honours Board in the Council Chamber is something that I will treasure forever.’
Apart from you important work with MS Purbeck what other community work have you been involved in?
‘I was invited to become Churchwarden at Lady St Mary’s Church in 1999 and served for four years 1999 – 1994.
During this time I undertook two major projects. The first being disability access into the Church. Because of David’s illness (being permanently in a wheelchair) I was very aware that access to the church was very difficult, with steps at the rear into the church. We either had to sit right at the back or right up the front neither of which was suitable.
So with the help and advice of others (my husband Maurice whom I married in 1989, and Spillers of Wareham in particular) I undertook a project of ramped access at the rear of the church and ramps on either side of the side isles and removed parts of pews in the side isles thus making it possible for those in wheelchairs to become part of the main body of the church once again. (I well remember two ladies in particular telling me that this couldn’t be done to which I replied “watch me”!!)
To this day these adaptations are still enabling those in wheelchairs or those with prams and pushchairs to be involved in the services with their families and friends in the main body of the church.’
Tell us about your work in the Parish Hall?
‘The Parish Hall, near Wareham Quay had been sorely neglected over the years. I have worked to substantially upgrade it over the past 30 years.
My first project was new toilet facilities for the disabled followed by replacement double glazed windows (replacing the old crittal single glazed units). Then followed gas central heating throughout (replacing the old storage heaters). Later I raised the funds to have the old stage removed. (This being achieved over the Christmas shut down period by my son and his friend). Over the years this took up a lot of space and was severely underused and so a new carpeted area was created for the babies and toddlers of the Thursday Toddlers group.
A new and extended kitchen was then achieved and a monthly Seniors Lunch Club (and annual Christmas party) was commenced (which I still cater for to this day. Then followed the donation and purchase of our wonderful dishwasher and electric water heater.
Three years ago the roof was giving us a lot of trouble with leaks so I raised the funds to have this completely stripped and refelted and finished with a rubberised finish thus making it water tight once again.
As we all know older buildings are always in need of care and attention and (together with my brother Maurice Lumber) we now run the Saturday morning Coffee sessions in the hall again helping to raise funds for the continued upkeep and running costs of the hall.
I have also over the past 25 years been a Sub-Deacon at church helping at church services and am now undertaking a formal new course to become a Lay Pastoral Assistant.’
Do you have time for anything else?
‘Over the years I have also helped and assisted my husband Maurice in his many roles within the Rotary Club of Wareham and we were jointly awarded the Distinguished Service Citation in 2008 for “Unselfish service above self’
Interested in volunteering?
If you are interested in joining in with you local community check out our Community pages at Love It Local – with almost 50 local groups, charities and societies listed. Many of which are looking for more local people to join them.
For even more ideas check out the website Volunteer Centre Dorset.
