A Tavistock volunteer who supports people living with dementia is celebrating a county-wide award.

Heather Rayne was inspired by her mother’s care by Tavistock Memory Cafe (TMC) to volunteer for the charity who supported them both. Now her role has been recognised by the BBC Devon Make A Difference Awards from thousands of nominees.

Heather, who carries a photo of her mother Beth Skipworth in her pocket with her everywhere as a tribute, was presented with the award at a ceremony on Thursday, September 24. She was shortlisted from 200 volunteer nominees, as one of a shortlist of four (including a paramedic and a men’s mental health group).

The charity’s coordinator said: “I’m overwhelmed and very pleased to get the award. I was convinced right to the end that one of the others on the shortlist would win. So, I was a bit short of anything to say for a bit at the ceremony.

“I’m really happy that the work of the memory cafe has been recognised publicly on a Devon-wide level. The award reflects the work of all us volunteers and the support I’m given by the team to support people living with dementia and their carers, such as their families.”

A crucial part of the cafe’s work is to support carers and Heather’s nomination comprised a tribute from the cafe’s chairman Graham Coiley, who compiled the carers’ group’s views.

She added: “A big part of our work is supporting carers with a peer-support group and I’m very grateful to Graham and to the carers for their role in this award.

“The carers group members learn from joint experiences and support each other practically and emotionally, which benefits those they are looking after.”

Heather’s mother died relatively soon after a dementia diagnosis and Heather gave up work as a care home assistant to look after her, including bringing her to TMC. Heather then volunteered for TMC: “The cafe gave my mother a social life with no stigma.”

Graham said: “Heather’s BBC Make a Difference Volunteer Award is a richly deserved recognition for her 20 years of involvement with Tavistock Memory Cafe. The competition for the award was strong with some amazing volunteers as finalists.

“Clearly the BBC judges understood Heather’s qualities of compassion, motivation, knowledge of dementia, and organisational skills. So many people with dementia and their family carers have benefited from Heather’s advice and support over the years - everyone will be delighted that she has been recognised in this way. Congratulations Heather.”