Christine wins the 2025 BGS Special Medal

This years's BGS Special Medal will be awarded to Christine Greenhalgh, for her years of service to older people in her community as a volunteer for Age UK Shropshire Telford & Wrekin.

Every year, the British Geriatrics Society (BGS) invites nominations for a special medal awarded to someone outside the NHS who has made a valuable contribution to the care and quality of life of older people.

For Christine, devoting her time and passion to improving the lives of older people felt like the natural thing to do. Growing up, she helped care for her gran, who lived with the family. This, along with later caring for other older relatives, meant Christine has always looked at things from the point of view of older people.

Christine started as a volunteer for what was then Age Concern around 35 years ago. Soon after, she was organising and delivering transport to a new day centre for those who were previously unable to leave their homes. In 1992, she became the organiser for the centre, a role she remained in for well over a decade. During that time, she organised accessible boat trips, picnics, barbeques, and even a holiday to the Welsh coast. She describes those experiences as some of her most rewarding.

She went on to become a trustee, chairperson, president, ambassador, fundraiser, and, in recent years, a volunteer befriender. It’s safe to say that Christine knows her community inside out.

Christine remains involved with Age UK Shropshire Telford & Wrekin, and said: “I describe the staff, trustees, and volunteers at the charity as friends and family. I am immensely proud of the varied services we offer, and everyone is dedicated and caring to ensure there is always a warm welcome. I am proud that when I was a trustee, and to this day, items from one meeting were always either done or almost done by the next meeting, such was and is the work ethic of all those involved.”

Christine will be awarded the special medal at the BGS Autumn Meeting, which is taking place in Nottingham between 12-14 November.

When Christine first heard she had been nominated for and won this BGS award, her first thought was, “Do I deserve it?”

Everyone at the British Geriatrics Society and AgeUK Shropshire Telford & Wrekin, can assure her that she does!