Care Home volunteer Cherry Tingle has been recognised with the Pride of Waltham Award 2022. Cherry was presented with her accolade by Cllr Andrew Moss, chair of Waltham Parish Council for services to The Grove and Waltham Village. Many residents do so much for the village and the Parish Council voted to start an annual award for outstanding contributions. Cherry’s award is in recognition of the 27 years that she has been volunteering at The Grove Care Home and for her services to the village.
Cherry 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”.
“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.
“We are very lucky to have a fantastic team of volunteers here at The Grove,” said Home Manager Kelly Lofts “Volunteering is such a fantastic thing to do and it’s wonderful that Waltham Parish Council has recognised Cherry’s commitment. Her dedication is truly outstanding, she brings so much positivity, we all look forward to seeing her every day”.
For more information about life at The Grove, please contact Customer Relations Manager Ros Wells on 01472 821 127 or email ros.wells@countrycourtcare.com.
