SpecSavers Local Hero Awards

On the 17th April, a few members of the Camborne and Redruth Lions Club attended the annual Specsavers Local Hero Awards, held at the Penventon Hotel in Redruth.

For the past few years our club has sponsored the ‘Young Person of the Year’ award and this years winner was Grace Johns (15 years old).

Grace was nominated for her contribution to Coastline’s Miners Court Extra Care scheme in Redruth. Miners Court provides 64 self-contained homes and a day centre for older people who need care & support. It is designed to allow residents to live independently while having the reassurance of full-time care and support on site if needed.

Grace initially decided to volunteer her time at Miners Court during the 2024 school summer holidays as she wanted to help people and brighten their days. She also felt it would be a great way to build her confidence and gain some work experience in the Health & Social Care sector. She enjoyed her time at Miners so much and had such a positive impact on customers that she now regularly dedicates two afternoons per week.

Grace’s role involves helping with: making refreshments, setting up and delivering activities as well as being there to listen to customers ensuring they have the best experience possible while they are attending the day centre. She is always friendly, engaging, encouraging and compassionate with customers, helping to reduce feels of social isolation and loneliness. She is always patient and takes the time to help adapt activities to ensure all customers can take part. Seeing two generations coming together over common interests has also made such a difference.

Her input as a volunteer has been so valuable to the Day Centre team, that Miners Court said that ‘she would be  amazing asset to the Health & Social Care sector if she decides to obtain a career in this area in the future.’

We all feel she was a worthy winner.

Well done Grace from all of us at the Camborne & Redruth Lions Club.