Mary, who is a member of the Narberth & Whitland Rotary Club in Pembrokeshire, West Wales, has received the award for her work with the Living Memory Group.
The Royal Voluntary Service launched the awards earlier this year in honour of their Patron, Her Majesty The Queen and the great example she has set in her 70 years of service.
Together with Royal Voluntary Service President, HRH The Duchess of Cornwall, and in partnership with The Big Jubilee Lunch, the awards are an official Jubilee project to celebrate outstanding volunteers across the country who are making a difference every day.
Bonding between the children and adults has been wonderful to witness.”
Mary, who is District Governor Elect for Rotary in Southern Wales, is a founder and trustee of the Narberth Living Memory Group.
The group has enabled people who have become isolated because of poor health to enjoy an afternoon of socialising and friendship.
Mary said she was very “humbled” by the award.
She said: “I am extremely proud to accept this award on behalf of all of our volunteers at the Living Memory Group. As volunteers there is no better feeling than doing worthwhile service without monetary reward.”
The nomination praised her input and commitment, stating: “The group would not have been formed without Mary’s enthusiasm and compassion. Many of those living with dementia and other illnesses would not have had afternoons of fun and friendship.”
The impact of the Living Memory Group on our rural community is enormous. The inter-generational links between the children and members have created fun. It has also developed strong bonds and friendships.”
The group was initially a Dementia Café and started with two members. But Mary soon realised the group needed to attract a wider audience to support people who had lost the ability to socialise. Just before the pandemic, numbers had risen to 25.
As an ambassador of Narberth Primary School, Mary forged links with the children and research, entertain and provide inter-generational activities with the members.
“Bonding between the children and adults has been wonderful to witness,” said Mary, who has been supported in her work by fellow Rotarians.
“We have managed to provide entertainment with five members of the Whitland Male Voice Choir, called ‘The Elderlys’, who come along with guitars and song sheets to encourage members to sing along.
“The impact of the Living Memory Group on our rural community is enormous. The inter-generational links between the children and members have created fun. It has also developed strong bonds and friendships.”
The group would not have been formed without Mary’s enthusiasm and compassion. Many of those living with dementia and other illnesses would not have had afternoons of fun and friendship.”
In a statement, the Platinum Awards organisers praised the winners for the “remarkable contribution of all volunteers, who truly are the backbone of our country”.
Thousands of people aged from 16 to 101 from all over the UK and supporting a range of causes were nominated and from these nominations.
A total of 490 volunteers were hand-picked by a judging panel presided over by The Duchess of Cornwall, and crowned Platinum Champions.
All 490 Platinum Champions will receive a specially designed pin and a signed certificate from HRH The Duchess of Cornwall.
