Our volunteer Brian Monnier has been named Age Scotland’s Volunteer of the Year.
Brian has been a volunteer with Dumfries and Galloway Hard of Hearing Group since 2015 and he has done a great deal to aid the group in it’s mission to
improve the quality of life for people with hearing loss who live in
the Dumfries and Galloway region, and to raise awareness of their needs throughout the
wider community by offering a range of practical help, support, advice, information and
training opportunities.
Brian is a great example of the difference volunteering can make to the lives of people your community. He volunteers at three drop-in clinics a month and has been Treasurer for the group since 2018. Last year he maintained over 400 peoples hearing aids and he does the vast majority of home visit which we undertake to housebound people in Annandale and Eskdale. His Treasurer role keeps him busy and he is a real lynchpin of the organisation.
Brian is not one to put himself in the limelight much preferring to get on with the job however he admits he is proud to have won the award not only for himself but also for the publicity it bring the Hard of Hearing Group,
“To be honest, I think I was a bit embarrassed (to win) at first, but it’s come to be more important for myself and the group, and to realise what an honour it is.
“A lot of people don’t know that their hearing aids need maintaining every four to six months. Older people in Dumfries and Galloway often have to travel to Dumfries, and they like the
fact that they’ve got help with their hearing aids virtually on the doorstep with DGHHG. “Home visits and care home visits help keep people in their local community. I may be the
only person they have seen probably that day, maybe for a couple of days, so I think it is quite important to spend the time with them.
“When people are so pleased that you’ve sorted out their hearing aids, it gives you all the pleasure in the world.”
Age Scotland’s Chief Executive, Katherine Crawford, said: “Brian has dedicated many years to supporting Dumfries and Galloway Hard of Hearing Group’s vital work, going above and beyond to ensure there is local support available for everyone who needs it.
“It’s clear that the group and its service users hold Brian in the highest regard, and that his volunteering has a wide-reaching positive impact in the local community.
“Congratulations to Brian and thank you for everything you have done and continue to do to support the wellbeing of the hard of hearing community in Dumfries and Galloway.”
