Tommy Edwards retires after nine years helping to improve learning disability services

Liaqat Ali , Community Learning Disability Nurse; Heather Turner Scott, Team Leader; Janice McGrath, Community Learning Disability Nurse; Jeremy Bentham, Service Manager; Tommy Edwards, Volunteer; Sharon Dewhurst, Community Learning Disability Nurse; Jacqui Spall, Office Supervisor; Gail Patterson, Speech and Language Therapist; Kay France, Senior Community Learning Disability Nurse, Paul Lonergan, Community Learning Disability Nurse.

Tommy Edwards has retired after dedicating nine years as a volunteer helping to improve services for people who have a learning disability.

Keen to use his personal experiences to support others with a learning disability, Tommy, 64, from Rochdale, has worked alongside staff from Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust’s Learning Disability Team in Rochdale since 2005.

During that time he has played an important role in a range of initiatives to help local services become more accessible for people with learning disabilities.

He has also worked very closely with the Administrative Team to support improvements to leaflets and other literature and carried out office administrative work, including organising internal post, photocopying and circulating meeting minutes.

Tommy said: “I decided to volunteer because I wanted to help other people. I’m pleased I gave it a go because I have really enjoyed it and have found it rewarding. The staff have really helped me and I have enjoyed working with them.

“I’d particularly like to thank the Officer Supervisor Helen Chapman, who has supported me to develop over the last nine years.”

Jeremy Bentham is Service Manager for Pennine Care’s Learning Disability Directorate in the Rochdale borough. He said: “Tommy is a real character and we really value the work he has done over the last nine years. His experience as a service user has helped us to improve our services and to support other community services to do the same.

“Tommy has been great to work with and has brought a unique perspective and sense of humour to the office. The team and I are truly grateful for the countless hours that Tommy has dedicated and the real difference he has made.”

In recognition of his years of service, Tommy was presented with a certificate of thanks from Pennine Care Chairman John Schofield, followed by a celebratory lunch with the team.