A Caring Christmas


Aimee’s volunteering scoops her national award


Aimee Bridgeman never lets her health problems get in the way of helping others and now her dedication to volunteering has won her a national award from the children’s charity Barnardo’s. Aimee, 20,


has been named


Young Volunteer of the Year in the charity’s Marsh Trust Awards which recognise outstanding contributions by its volunteers across the country. Staff at the Barnardo’s Cymru shop in Albany Road, Cardiff, who nominated her are delighted. Manager Diana Wood said: “She has shown persistence in the face of adversity. When her health has got her down she has picked herself up and has lit up the store with her friendly, welcoming and happy nature. “Her courage and commitment to Barnardo’s is outstanding and she’s an asset to the team.”


Aimee from Pontprennau has a heart condition and began volunteering at the shop four years ago when she left school. She continued while she studied for a BTEC in IT and now works there three days a week. “Barnardo’s has brought me out of


Who can apply to become a Foster Carer?


MYTH BUSTERS! FOSTER CARERS CAN:


• Be male or female. • Be single, married, divorced, widowed or living with a partner.


Who can apply to become a Foster Carer ?


Aimee Bridgeman, Barnardo’s Young Volunteer of the Year 2017


my shell, it’s given me confi dence and I’ve met so many wonderful people, I’ve made friends for life. “I have mild learning diffi culties and when I fi rst arrived I couldn’t handle money and was a bit shy but now I am happy on the till and talking to customers, I really feel part of the team.”


Aimee also uses her IT skills behind the scenes to organise gift aid contributions. She has even


run a fundraising nail bar for customers.


Aimee travelled to London to receive her award from Barnardo’s Chief Executive Javed Khan. Barnardo’s Cymru is always looking for volunteers to help out in shops, raise funds and support children’s services. Anyone interested in volunteering can either visit www.barnardos. org.uk or telephone 0208 498 7320.


• Own your own home, or rent, however your accommodation needs to be stable.


• Have a disability. • Be employed, unemployed or retired. • Be heterosexual or in a same sex relationship.


• Be a parent, step parent, single parent or you may never have had children of your own.


AGE: There is no upper age limit but you do have to be over 21 years of age and be in good general health.


MYTH BUSTERS! You will need to have a spare bedroom.


FOSTER CARERS CAN: Be male or female.


Be single, married, divorced, widowed or living with a partner. Own your own home, or rent, however your accommodation needs to be stable. Have a disability.


FOSTER CARERS HAVE SOME THINGS IN COMMON:


Be a parent, step parent, single parent or you may never have had children of your own.


• They all love children. • They all work as part of a team. • They are understanding and patient. • They have lots of energy and a sense of humour.


Be employed, unemployed or retired. Be heterosexual or in a same sex relationship.


AGE: There is no upper age limit but you do have to be over 21 years of age and be in good general health. You will need to have a spare bedroom.


• They don’t give up easily when the going gets tough.


FOSTER HAVE SOME THINGS IN COMMON: They all love children.


All we ask is that you like children and parenting, and that you have space in your home and your heart to care enthusiastically and with dedication for someone else’s child.


a


Blaenau Gwent Placement Team, Family Resource Centre, Beaufort Road, Ebbw Vale, NP23 5LH.


Blaenau Gwent Placement Team, Family Resource Centre, Beaufort Road, Ebbw Vale, NP23 5LH.


Telephone/text: Fostering Enquiry Line – 07791344886 Email: fostering@blaenau-gwent.gov.uk


Telephone/text: Fostering Enquiry Line – 07890312429 Email: fostering@blaenau-gwent.gov.uk


All we ask is that you like children and parenting, and that you have space in your home and your heart to care enthusiastically and with dedication for someone else’s child.


They all work as part of a team. They are understanding and patient. They have lots of energy and a sense of humour. They don’t give up easily when the going gets tough.


www.blaenau-gwent.gov.uk D LPHIN S. WALES LTD. Stairlifts Dealer www.blaenau-gwent.gov.uk www.cardiffandsouthwalesadvertiser.com Cardiff & South Wales Advertiser – Friday 8th December 2017 - 13


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