Volunteers from the Paul Sartori Foundation (PSF), Pembrokeshire’s only Hospice at Home Service, were presented with certificates on Thursday. Certificates are prepared for volunteers when they reach 50, 100 or 200 hours and are presented to recognise volunteers contributions to the charity.

The Volunteer Recognition Scheme recently launched by PSF in conjunction with PAVS (Pembrokeshire Association of Voluntary Services), enables registered volunteers to obtain certificates for 50, 100 and 200 hours of volunteering. There are two different schemes depending on age: Millennium Volunteers are aged 14-25 and 25+V is for those aged over 25 years. Any volunteer in Pembrokeshire can start counting hours and claiming certificates by registering with PAVS (01437 769422/[email protected]); or for Paul Sartori Volunteers by contacting Judith Williams at the Paul Sartori Foundation.

“Volunteers contribute in so many ways at PSF from helping at events to helping in our Sartori Stores throughout the county. This is one way for the Foundation to show its appreciation for all the hard work, effort and time volunteers contribute through the varying roles available within the charity,” mentioned Judith Williams, head office volunteer administrator at PSF, adding: “It is not a compulsory scheme and is not necessarily everybody’s cup of tea. It is however a great opportunity for some of our volunteers who wish to improve their job prospects or college applications.”

Receiving their certificates from the Haverfordwest Sartori Style Store were Marilyn Page and Ann Allen who were awarded their 200 hour certificates; Stephen Edwards received his 100 hour certificate and Henry Ross received the 50 hour Millennium Volunteers Certificate. Additionally, Phil Thompson MBE, trustee of the Paul Sartori Foundation received his 100 hour certificate for his contributions.

“The Millennium Volunteers certificate, awarded to Henry is a nationally recognised scheme, with the 200 hour certificate being signed by the First Minister of Wales. Hopefully, this will be something that Henry will want to aspire to,” said Louise Wilkinson, volunteering development officer for PAVS, adding: “Signing up to either scheme shows a commitment to volunteering which can help with developing experience and skills. We are very pleased to support the Paul Sartori Foundation with this scheme.”

Volunteers are crucial to PSF being blessed with over 340 volunteers and a vital support network to the Foundation and help in many ways from fundraising, assisting in the shops, trustees, van drivers and complementary therapists, to name, but a few volunteering roles. PSF could not provide the vital Hospice at Home services within the community without their help and the recognition scheme is a great way to reward all existing and new volunteers.

PSF are seeking more volunteers within their Sartori Stores in Fishguard, Snowdrop Lane Haverfordwest, Tenby, and also at their head office. If you can spare a few hours a week at any location, please get in touch by ’phoning 01437 763223 or emailing them on [email protected]

The services provided by the Paul Sartori Foundation are free of charge, available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and enable people who are living in the later stages of any life-limiting illness to die at home if that is their wish, with dignity, independence, pain free and surrounded by those they hold most dear.