Annual General Meeting 2017-2018

Our Chairman, David Smart, opened the Annual General Meeting on Tuesday, 16th October 2018 and welcomed the volunteers and partners to the event. He spoke about our new developing partnerships and the Charity’s challenges and highlights. Suzanne Hilton, the Chief Executive of Age UK Bolton, went on to present the most recent Annual Report, including some key points and statistics the Charity has achieved this year. Our Honorary Treasurer, Mark Critchlow, then presented the financial statements. We then moved on to the elections of the trustee board; the Chairman and all of the Trustees were re-elected for the next 12 months.

Once the elections were finalised, our volunteer awards began.

We celebrate the volunteers of Age UK Bolton as often as we can, as we could not provide the services and support without them. We have ‘Long Service’ awards, split into 5, 10, 15 and 20 years, which are presented to those who have dedicated years of their time to organising classes and clubs, being a friend when needed most, or to just helping others. This year an amazing 43 volunteers were presented with a Long Service Award. Below are just a few:

Once we have awarded the Long Service Awards to those who have dedicated a substantial amount of their time to helping others we have our ‘Special Recognition Awards’, in order to recognise those who have gone above and beyond their duties when volunteering. This year we had nine categories within in this award. Below are the winners:

Inspirational Sun Style Award presented to Robert Green and John Mulraney in recognition of the Care Homes Excellence event and the impact made.

Care and Kindness Award presented to Lynn Thorpe, for creating a friendly and welcoming atmosphere at her lunch clubs and the new dining group. 

Outstanding Contribution to Music Award presented to Jeff Pearce, for bringing new teaching styles and volunteering with a happy smile and boundless enthusiasm.

Inspirational Ideas Award to Barbara Pritchard, for her dedication to the group and her inspirational ideas. 

Outstanding Positivity Award to Sheila Witter, for constantly supporting both students and fellow tutors throughout challenges with her usual positive attitude.

Embracing Change Award to the Farnworth Reception Team, for facing many changes and challenges with enthusiasm and a smile.

Multitasker Award

Joyce Walker, for taking on an extra role and becoming our first Charitylog logger.

 Barbara May, for being a part of our Information and Advice team and running her own Tai Chi class.

Carol Fitton for delivering a chair based exercise and visiting two people as a befriender

Jane Sweetlove for delivering five chair based exercise classes at four different centres and running the intergenerational project at Turton School.

The Good Friend Award to Maureen Whittle, who has gone above and beyond on her befriending visits by visiting in hospital, into respite care and now a care home

Innovation Award to the Ambition for Ageing team, for their proactive approach in trying new and innovative methods to achieve Age-Friendly Communities.

A massive thank you to all who attended the Annual General Meeting!