High Sheriff visit 2023

THE High Sheriff of Essex visited a Tendring charity and presented a caring volunteer with an award. 

Charles Bishop, High Sheriff of Essex, visited Community Voluntary Services Tendring’s (CVST) Dovercourt and Harwich Hub in High Street, Dovercourt on Tuesday **oct 31st**. 

He was shown the building and CVST’s history exhibition, created to mark the charity’s 50th anniversary this year, before hearing volunteering stories. 

Mr Bishop then presented volunteer Patricia Lamb with a framed certificate ‘in recognition of great and valuable services to the community’. 

It came after Patricia raised the alarm to a vulnerable resident she was unable to contact, who was then found unwell and in need of immediate hospital care. 

Harwich volunteer Patricia said: “I actually started volunteering during Covid for the vaccinations. 

“When that ended, I decided I wanted to carry on and I now do adhoc volunteering. 

“So, when I was asked if I would help a resident with some shopping by the Social Prescribing team I said yes. 

“It turned out she had done an online shop but needed help with laundry, so I spent the morning helping and she asked if I would like to stay for lunch. 

“I was unable to but said I would come back. 

“But when I tried to contact her, I couldn’t get hold of her, so I called CVST and said I was worried.” 

The Social Prescribers contacted the warden for the resident’s complex and when they forced access to the property, they found her unwell on the floor. 

Helen Curry, social prescriber at CVST, said: “If it hadn’t have been for Patricia’s quick thinking to raise her concerns I don’t know what would have happened. 

“The resident was taken to hospital and remained in hospital for months receiving care.” 

Mr Bishop also heard from allotment volunteers and the new Dovercourt Diggers group during his visit, and he explained the role of the High Sheriff. 

He said: “It was a very interesting visit, I love the hub building and CVST is clearly a very vibrant and welcoming CVS.” 

To find out more about CVST visit www.cvstendring.org.uk or call 01255 425692.