Penarth resident Esme Mason has been honoured for an amazing 50 years of volunteering in the community where she was born and bred.

Esme (90) was named Volunteer of the Year by Methodist Homes (MHA) where she volunteers with MHA Penarth Live at Home scheme, in the charity’s Outstanding Service Contribution and Recognition (OSCAR) Awards after being nominated by scheme manager Linda Brownhill. In addition she was given a special certificate to mark her 50 years of volunteering.

She started volunteering with a knitting and sewing class for the over 65s at Trinity Methodist Church and joined Penarth Live at Home when it was set up by MHA in the town, helping prepare and serve hot lunches on a Wednesday. The scheme provides a range of activities from the church’s community centre, all aimed at reducing loneliness and isolation among older people by helping them to live later life well.

Esme’s achievement and award were marked by a party in her honour by Penarth Live at Home, which was attended by town Mayor, Councillor Angela Thomas. In addition to her OSCAR award, Esme was presented with a special certificate for her 50 years of volunteering.

Said Esme: “I never expected anything like the award I got, just for doing something that I love. The people I meet are all lovely and that is a true reward in itself.”

Linda Brownhill, Live at Home scheme manager, said: “Esme is a true legend and all of us at Live at Home love her to bits. She loves helping people enjoy time at our day centre and always does it with such a wonderful smile on her face.”