Lin Purandare, Head of Care at local dementia care home Waypoints Verwood, has been awarded with a Hidden Hero award from Shine Cancer Support in recognition of her voluntary work with the national charity. Lin was one of two lucky volunteers to have received the award earlier this year from the charity which supports young adults in their 20s, 30s and 40s with any cancer at any stage. In Lin’s spare time she runs workshops at the charity’s Great Escape at Bournemouth’s Grove Hotel where attendees can access support, information and counselling over a long weekend stay. The Great Escape’s workshops include help with travel insurance, working, dating, relationships, anxiety, depression, sex and more.
Lin said “I was originally approached by the charity to run a 2 hour workshop on stress anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder at the first Great Escape six years ago when I was working as a Cancer Nurse Consultant. My involvement has grown over the years so I now run several workshops and provide counselling services. The Great Escape has also grown; with an added October weekend in Manchester. This year the charity received 60 applications for 22 places. Shine is a small, young charity which does not have vast funds so I and other experts attend the weekend on a voluntary basis. I am delighted to have been recognised for my work with the charity, receiving my certificate and a short stay at a Room to Reward partner hotel – I really enjoy being involved with the charity.”
“Over the years, Lin has become a key part of our team”, said Ceinwen Giles, Director of Partnerships and Evaluation at Shine. “We’re so grateful to Lin for all the time and effort she puts in to supporting us. As a small charity we rely heavily on our volunteers and to have someone with Lin’s passion and expertise support us has made a huge difference”. In addition to the Great Escapes, Shine runs support networks across the UK – including one in Dorset – and runs the UK’s only young adult cancer conference which is held annually in May in London. “Lin has presented at the conference too”, said Ceinwen. “We love working with her”.
Waypoints Care Group runs three specialist dementia care homes, based in Verwood, Plymouth and Upton. Each home is purpose-built and completely set up for the needs of residents living with dementia, including bigger, beautifully decorated rooms, wider corridors, a fantastic choice of personalised activities and specially trained staff. For more details about Waypoints Care go to www.waypoints-care.co.uk
Shine Cancer Support provides tailored information and peer support for anyone in their 20s, 30s or 40s diagnosed with any cancer. This is provided through a range of activities including lunches and drinks evenings, beach walks, multi-day getaways, workshops, online networking and mentoring. For more information about Shine Cancer Support, or to make a donation, please visit http://www.shinecancersupport.org/
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