Brunelcare Volunteer Clocks Up 35000 Hours
After two-decades and 35,000 hours of volunteering, Clive, 83 is recognised for his commitment to Brunelcare
Wednesday 02nd October - Brunelcare has today honoured one of it’s longest serving volunteers with a certificate of recognition. Clive Iles, 83, has been volunteering with Brunelcare Deerhurst, a care home located in Soundwell for two-decades.
Clive has been with the Bristol based charity, which has been providing housing, care and support for older people in the South West for a total of 240 months, which is 1,000 weeks, 7,100 days and 35,000 hours helping employees and residents at Brunelcare’s Deerhurst Care Home.
Clive started his volunteering journey in 1998, after his mother, who had been a resident at Deerhurst, passed away in the home. He volunteers Monday to Friday, 7:30 - 15:30 and drives his car in everyday from his home in Longwell Green. Clive’s main day-to-day duties can include administration, ordering supplies, dealing with deliveries and feeding back to employees and managers if anything needs to be taken care of in the care home.
Clive said: “I absolutely love volunteering with Brunelcare, it keeps me busy and on my feet while I’m still able. I work with some fantastic people and really enjoy the social element of my role. I’ve spent over 35-years working in the Royal Mail sorting office so I’m used to being organised and being around lots of people.”
Alongside being a dedicated volunteer for Brunelcare, Clive is also a qualified pilot and received his piloting license when he was 70-years-old! He has also won the Unpaid Carers Awards at the Great British Care Awards 2018.
Lesley Hobbs, Care Home Manager said: “Life at Deerhurst wouldn’t be the same without any of our volunteers. Clive brings such a positive atmosphere to the office and the entire care home. Things always seem to run a lot smoother with Clive around. He’s built some great relationships with the residents and their families and he’s definitely very popular at Deerhurst! We really appreciate all of his help. He’s been and will continue to be an absolute star!”
Clive says: “In my spare time I enjoy tending to the garden, going for walks or meeting up for a coffee with friends. Volunteering makes the weekends special for me. Even though I fly less than I would like too, I enjoy going to the Bristol Flying Club, having a cup of tea and watching the planes come in.”
Waverley Gardens, a Brunelcare Extra Care Housing site located in Bishopsworth, Bristol will celebrated its 10th Birthday in September. Opening 14th September 2009 the site commemorated the milestone with a customised cake and party for its 66 tenants. Six of which have been with Waverley Gardens since opening in 2009 and hosted a birthday party for its tenants in the dining hall where food, drink, cake and dancing will be taking place for all employees, tenants and their friends and family to attend.
Edwin Smith, 80, who was the first tenant to move into Waverley Gardens 10-years ago said: “I enjoy living at Waverley as I have my independence but also lovely carers around if I need them. I pop out every day to grab the local paper and go to the football every Saturday. I like knowing I always have the comfort of my own home to return to where I can relax, watch tv or socialise if I wish to.”
Waverley Gardens provides a housing scheme where tenants receive care and support if needed while living as independently as possible in purpose built, self-contained flats to provide the best setting for assisted living.
Work is currently on the way to extend Waverley Gardens, adding an additional 62 self-contained properties to the scheme, 10 of which have been exclusively made available for shared ownership.
