We are beyond proud of our volunteer Dave Stannard who has been nominated for a national award !
Headway UK have announced their list of finalists for the Headway Annual Awards. The Annual Awards is the biggest event in Headway’s calendar and is a day for celebrating dedication, growth and outstanding achievements of brain injury survivors, carers, volunteers, and others in the Headway community across the United Kingdom.
Dave Stannard, started volunteering with Headway Essex after his wife, Denise had a stroke in 1996.
Denise attended the Headway Essex day centre and support groups from 1998, and at the same time, Dave joined as a volunteer. Despite being a full-time carer for Denise, Dave has volunteered for Headway Essex ever since and this year marks 23 years.
Emma McCullagh, Head of Services at Headway Essex, nominated Dave for the Award.
She said: “When I joined Headway Essex Dave was one of the first people to say hello and then introduce me to the clients and volunteers.”
“This is the epitome of Dave’s character and role at our Colchester Day Centre, and I will forever be grateful to him and his warm welcome.”
Following her stroke, Denise depended heavily on Dave for support, before she sadly passed away in February 2021. However, Dave has continued to volunteer at least twice a week, helping to support the service users and staff of the centre and is well loved by all.
Emma added: “Even through his grief of losing his wife, Dave has continued to volunteer for the past three years.”
Headway Essex provides support for brain injury survivors and their families and carers in the aftermath of brain injury.
Emma said: “When we have had service users in the past who want to attend our support groups or social evenings but are too anxious, Dave has voluntarily given up his time to attend with them to help them feel comfortable and carried on doing so until they have felt confident enough to attend alone.”
When not volunteering, Dave also gives up his free time to attend fundraising events with his family, promote Headway Essex and be on hand to help out with anything needed.
This includes driving the minibus, attending events with service users, running a bowling league and facilitating a men’s-only support group.
Dave’s dedication to Headway Essex has led to him becoming one of just three finalists for Headway’s Volunteer of the Year Award.
The accolade, sponsored by law firm Anthony Gold, will be presented by Headway – the brain injury association at its glittering awards ceremony on December 5 at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House in Mayfair.
Dave said of the nomination: “I am absolutely delighted. Headway Essex means the world to me.”
“I’ve seen what this charity does for people from both sides. Denise absolutely thrived going there, and I love to work with people who join the group, to help them and to see them improve over time. I just love that side of it.
“I am so passionate about Headway.”
Emma concluded: “Dave is one of the loveliest, kindest, funniest, most amazing people I have ever met in my life.”
“I know that he volunteers for the love of volunteering and in memory of his wife, Denise.”
“He is so deserving of this nomination.”
We would like to wish good luck to all of the finalists nominated for the Headway Awards.
If you would like to read more about the awards and this year’s nominees please follow this link to the Headway UK website
