Volunteer presented with Heather Jackson Award
Hearing Link volunteer James Newell has been presented with the prestigious Heather Jackson Award award.
Awarded jointly by the National Association of Deafened People (NADP), Signature, and Hearing Link each year; James was announced as the 2016 recipient in June.
Last Thursday (6th October), he received the award from Dr Lorraine Gailey, Chief Executive of Hearing Link, at the Volunteer Now Offices, Belfast, in front of delighted family, friends and colleagues.
The Heather Jackson Award is given to a person who has made a significant contribution to the improvement of the welfare and opportunity of deafened people. It has been instituted in memory of National Association of Deafened People’s (NADP) Chairperson, Heather Jackson, who passed away in 2007.
James has lived with hearing loss since he was four-years-old. He was nominated for his dedicated work as a volunteer for our charity. He was the first volunteer to support our work in Northern Ireland in 2013 and has worked tirelessly since then to build its capacity and reputation across the country.
He also works full-time as a Social Work Assistant for the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust (BHSCT), which has been extremely supportive of him both personally and professionally.
James said: “Receiving the Heather Jackson Award took me by surprise. I’m very pleased to have been acknowledged for doing something that I love – bringing laughter back into people’s live who have forgotten how to laugh due to their hearing loss. I really enjoy my role in Hearing Link as it allows me to give something back and to be a positive influence on the lives of so many.”
Dr Lorraine Gailey, Chief Executive of Hearing Link, added: “James gives to others freely and generously in all areas of his life. He’s an incredibly positive role model for others, helping them to make changes that are lasting and beneficial. His ability to raise awareness and help integrate the worlds of hearing and deafened is inspiring and the energy he gives to that is relentless.”
Aidan Best, Team Leader at BHSCT, added: “The staff from the Sensory Support Team are delighted to hear that our colleague James Newell has been awarded the Heather Jackson Award. It is truly deserved and James is a very worthy recipient of this award. His enthusiasm and dedication to his work with service users who have hearing loss is an inspiration for us all. James has forged a partnership between the Belfast Trust and Hearing Link which has benefited our service users. We would like to offer our congratulations to James in receiving this most prestigious and deserving award.”
Visit our webpage to find out more about the work of Hearing Link in Northern Ireland or contact us.