Staff and residents at The Grove Care Home paid tribute to long-standing volunteer Cherry Tingle with a special afternoon tea and gifts to mark 25 years of volunteering at the care home in Waltham.
Commenting on her 25 years of volunteering, Cherry who lives in Waltham, said;
“I was asked to visit a resident at The Grove in 1994 by the then Rector of Waltham parish church. The lady had been the village midwife and I’d take her for a walk around the village in her wheelchair. Everyone used to stop and say hello, she’d joke that she’d delivered every baby in Waltham.”
Cherry went to see her every day for nearly four years until she passed away. During this time Cherry got to know the staff at the care home well and became involved in events and fundraising for the Resident’s Comfort Fund which pays for extra special trips out and entertainment. Cherry now regards The Grove as her second home and she visits every day without fail to chat to residents, take the chair-based exercise sessions or tend to the garden.
“I love seeing the faces in the lounge light up when I come in” said Cherry “the residents know I’ve come to do activities, and everyone enjoys that”.
“We are very lucky to have a fantastic team of volunteers here at The Grove,” said Home Manager Kelly Lofts “Cherry’s commitment and dedication is truly outstanding, she brings so much positivity, we all look forward to seeing her every day”.
Cherry was joined at the celebrations by fellow volunteers, staff, residents, and families. Her daughter and grandsons who were visiting for the summer from Vancouver were also there to see her receive her gifts.
“Cherry lends a hand at our resident’s Gardening Club and helps keep our garden here looking tidy,” said Customer Relations Manager Ros Wells “so we’ve bought her some wine, flowers, secateurs, and watering can – in cherry red of course!”
Cherry always has a project on the go and her latest venture is to start a recycling programme with help from both residents and staff.
