Volunteer Celebrates 30yrs of Service!

Meet Ruth Northrop

This amazing lady has been volunteering to support older people for over 30 years.

Ruth first started volunteering in the late 1980’s when our charity, then known as Age Concern, took over the management of the Cherry Trees Centre in Cambridge from WRVS. Ruth has always, and continues to, volunteer at the same Day Centre, supporting the staff 3 days a week. Ruth goes out of her way to look after and provide a listening ear, friendship and support to the people attending the club. She assists with making beverages and serving food, the activities – running and joining in with the games and quizzes, collecting and counting the club members contribution money and so much more.

The only person to be there from the outset, Ruth has seen many changes to Cherry Trees; changes in club members, staff, volunteers and the venue itself, which underwent a refurbishment and transformation in 2013/14. The whole club vacated the premises for approximately a year and Ruth recalls the move to temporary premises at Hilltop, Cambridge, “We were just settling in and it was time to move back, but is was lovely seeing the old place now all new and done up!”.

Ruth fondly recalls many summer day trips taken with the club to include visits to Clacton, Hunstanton, Southend and Duxford and the fun they all have on such trips. She also reminisces about the entertaining shows performed by and for staff, volunteers and club members – everyone had a part in the co-productions, which included, singing, dancing, comedy, musical instruments and acting sketches.

In 2009, when Age Concern England merged with Help the Aged and became the new charity brand we now know as Age UK, Ruth went to Downing Street with our former Chief Executive, Gloria Culyer, for the launch ceremony and to represent our local charity joining and becoming a brand partner in the new the network. Ruth met the prime minister at the time, Gordon Brown.

In 2015 Ruth contributed her memories to the fundraising publication we produced called Memories of the Second World War (Cambridgeshire Residents Reminisce) and shared with us the Military Cross medal, that her late husband Dennis received.

You would not think Ruth had the time, but she is also an active volunteer in her local community, where she has lived for over 60 years. She is the president of the Forget-Me-Not Club and helps at the local church, previously being a church warden for many years. Ruth says “as a farmer’s daughter, you are used to working hard”.

In 2018 Ruth received an award from Cambridge Council for Voluntary Service and Hunts Forum of Voluntary Organisations, in recognition of her long service to us and outstanding commitment to the voluntary sector.

Pic: Dec 2013 Ruth enjoying a dance with members attending the Cherry Trees Day Service

The 20 miles round trip (10 miles each way) that Ruth makes to Cherry Trees, is becoming less enjoyable, so Ruth is reducing her hours to one day a week. Last month, in January, Age UK Cambridgeshire and Peterborough were delighted to celebrate the dedication and support given by Ruth Northrup. Melanie Wicklen, Chief Executive, presented Ruth with a bouquet of flowers, a brooch, celebration cake and certificate in recognition.

Ruth said

“I really enjoy coming to the day centre, it gets me out and everyone is so lovely. I enjoy the company and friends I have made here. It keeps me active and I enjoy helping people and feeling useful. I would recommend volunteering to everyone.”

We owe you a HUGE THANK YOU Ruth.

Ruth, will not give away her age, except – late 80’s, but it is clear to say she is a shining example of “age is no barrier” to volunteering.

If you would like to volunteer or discuss the roles we have available please contact Carol Cook 07842911532 carol.cook@ageukcap.or.uk

Left to right: Melanie Wicklen, Ruth Northrop, Carol Cook. Presentation January 2020