It's good to talk says unsung hero Jean
An 84-year-old woman who has been helping lonely people through a telephone befriending service has been named an "unsung hero".
Jean Griffin, of Bicton Heath, Shrewsbury, was the regional winner of the award in the West Midlands section of the Lloyds Bank Foundation Charity Achievement Awards. She had been nominated by Omega, the National Association for End of Life Care, after becoming the voice of its radio recruitment campaign for its Chatterbox befriending service – designed to help people who are socially isolated.
The award means the charity will receive £1,000 and will now compete against other organisations for the national award.
Jean said the service means a lot to the people who use it. She said: "I know what it's like to lose someone close to you. Being a Chatterbox volunteer is very worthwhile. I enjoy talking to people and I enjoy helping people."
Service co-ordinator Angela Pollard said she was thrilled that Jean had received the award and said the organisation would continue to expand its Chatterbox service.
