Tom Johnston Receives Prestigious Abbeyfield Society Royal Patron’s Award from Sylvia Hermon

Donaghadee s Tom Johnston, a volunteer for Abbeyfield & Wesley Housing Association, a charity that provides supported sheltered housing for older people, is just one of five people chosen from 4,500 UK volunteers for recognition in Abbeyfield's prestigious 2017 Royal Patron s awards, which is endorsed by HRH Prince of Wales.

For close to 40 years Tom has selflessly devoted his time to enhance the lives of Abbeyfield residents as Geraldine Gilpin, Chief Executive, Abbeyfield & Wesley Housing Association, explains:

"Tom's passion for residents to experience an enhanced quality of life shines through everything he does. It was evident during his time as board member of the Abbeyfield NI Development Society when he was responsible for a programme of house refurbishments and new builds throughout the Northern Ireland region.

"He had always been an advocate for high standard accommodation and, as far back as 1992, when he was a volunteer in a local society he ensured that the two houses in Donaghadee incorporated facilities such as ensuites with level deck showers and a Careline system."

Mrs Gilpin continues: "In addition to enhancing the quality of life for residents at a strategic level, Tom has also been closely involved in assisting residents in the Donaghadee houses in whatever way he can. This could range from organising activities and taking residents to appointments, right through to helping out with tasks or simply taking the time to have a chat. With his warm and engaging personality he is held in high esteem and residents trust him. Tom truly deserves this award. He is an absolute star and we really appreciate the time and energy that he has invested over the years in Abbeyfield. It has made a massive difference to lots of people s lives. Tom, thank you!"

John Caldwell, Honorary Secretary of Donaghadee Community Development Association, also supported Tom s nomination. Mr Caldwell said:

"I know from first-hand experience the high level of commitment and effort which Tom has put into Abbeyfield. As Treasurer and then Chairman of the Donaghadee Society, Tom has seen Abbeyfield develop from having a single terrace house to having two specially built houses.

"Tom was, very quick to realise that Abbeyfield needed to move to a more professional footing especially as regulatory and legislative requirements were becoming more demanding. His influential work in first sowing the seeds for merger and then in implementation was pivotal in setting the strong foundation on which Abbeyfield & Wesley Housing Association is now based."

North Down MP, Lady Hermon, who endorsed Tom s nomination for the award, presented the Royal Patron Award to Mr Johnston.

"Upon receiving the award Tom Johnston said: Whilst I am honoured to be a recipient of the Royal Patron s Award I am very conscious of the fact that there are many other volunteers who are deserving of similar recognition. Volunteering has been at the heart of the Abbeyfield ethos from its formation 60 years ago and, like so many others, I was recruited when I was visiting a resident in an Abbeyfield house.

"I have enjoyed my involvement with the Society in various capacities over the past 37 years and, in particular, have gained much from my interaction with staff and residents. Having been unable to attend the presentation in London I am delighted to have received the award from Lady Hermon on the occasion of the official opening of the new Abbeyfield and Wesley House here in Bangor and I take the opportunity to wish the Society continued success in it provision of supported care for older people throughout Northern Ireland."

Tom and his wife Anne live in Donaghadee. They have four children and three grandchildren

Abbeyfield & Wesley Housing Association provides a complete range of housing options for older people independent living for older people in sheltered housing with scheme supervisors; supported sheltered housing which has higher staffing levels and provision of meals; and residential care which is staffed 24 hours a day.

Abbeyfield & Wesley Housing Association manages 19 supported, sheltered houses in Ballycastle, Ballyclare, Ballymena, Ballymoney, Banbridge, Bangor, Carrickfergus, Donaghadee, Downpatrick, Greenisland, Holywood, Lurgan, Merville, Newtownards and Portstewart. In addition the charity also runs a residential and dementia care home in East Belfast and three sheltered schemes in Carrickfergus, Newtownabbey and Belfast.

For further information on Abbeyfield & Wesley Housing Association please check out www.abbeyfieldandwesley.org.uk.

Have you ever thought about doing something completely different? Perhaps you d like to give back to your community, learn a new skill, improve your CV, or simply make some new friends?

If so, volunteering with Abbeyfield could make a real difference to your life µ and to the lives of older people.

Our current volunteering opportunities are listed on do-it.org, but if you can t find a role near to you, please contact your local Abbeyfield house, by using the main search function, and ask how you may be able to help.There are plenty of volunteering opportunities to choose from and we welcome volunteers of all ages and backgrounds!