A local Action on Hearing Loss volunteer, who has been recognised by the charity for her enthusiasm and dedication in devoting her time to help people with hearing loss, is now urging others on the Isle of Wight to do the same.
Inspirational volunteer Maggie Hocking has been awarded the charity’s Regional People’s Champion award in recognition of her hard work and commitment since she began working with the charity on the Island 11 years ago. In that time Maggie has done everything from helping at the charity’s Befriending Care & Connect care home service, hearing aid support drop-in’s, acting as Secretary for its Service Users Forum, fundraising to support and raise money locally alongside volunteering in the office.
Action on Hearing Loss is actively recruiting for new volunteers to help it deliver its services on the Island, with positions needed to be filled in a variety of roles, including a new pilot project being launched soon in GP surgeries regarding awareness of hearing loss.
Maggie said:
“Since retiring, volunteering for Action on Hearing Loss provides me with a huge amount of satisfaction. Having a profoundly deaf son, I have been an active part in the Deaf Community on the Isle of Wight for over 40 years so I know how vitally important the work of volunteers is.
“We desperately need people to help – there are so many people, particularly of the older generation, who are quite isolated. The services we run in the area help take people out of this isolation and enable them to use their hearing aids and equipment so they can make the most of their lives.”
Ann Emery, Service Manager Sensory Service at Action on Hearing Loss, said:
“Volunteers like Maggie are indispensable to Action on Hearing Loss, helping us support people living with hearing loss on the Isle of Wight. We are delighted to be able to honour Maggie for her tireless effort and enthusiasm.
Article continues below this advertisement “We’d like to invite anyone who is interested in volunteering with us to get in touch, whether it be helping out with our exciting new pilot project working in GP surgeries, or in one of our vital other local services. Volunteering is a rewarding experience that really does make an enormous difference to peoples’ lives.”
The volunteering roles available range from Befriending, which involves providing friendship and support in client’s homes who have a sensory loss; helping to maintain hearing aids at one of our local drop ins, engaging clients and running activities in care home as part of the Care & Connect service; providing support at Hear to Meet coffee mornings, supporting our new GP project or providing sensory loss equipment and hearing aid support.
For information about volunteering opportunities in the Isle of Wight, contact Natasha Hamilton, Community Support Officer on 01983 529533 or email [email protected].
