Merton creates new badge scheme to honour borough’s long-standing volunteers

An evening was held to honour volunteers in Merton by Merton Connected, as they launched a badge scheme for volunteers to mark milestones in their volunteering.

The event was held last Tuesday at Vestry Hall, Mitcham, and organised by Loana Vazzano of Merton Connected – a platform for charitable, community, and voluntary work initiatives in the borough.

The Mayor of Merton, councillor Slawek Szczepanski with his consort Kamila Dyczko, presented each volunteer with a lanyard with badges depicting the number of years they have been volunteering.

Two of the people to receive awards were familiar to regular South London Press readers because of their connections with Wimbledon Common Nature club for children – Auriel Dowty Glanville and Luciana Teuma, who has volunteered for the last eight years as club assistant.

Auriel has 30 years of volunteering behind her with Merton Friends of the Earth as co-ordinator and press officer, 20 years as club leader for the Wimbledon Common Nature Club, 20 years with the Wandle Industrial Museum and 15 years with the Merton Talking Newspaper.

Auriel, said: “I was delighted to receive this award on this special evening, with thanks to Merton Connected for making it possible.  It has always been important to me, alongside paid work, to also do work where no money changes hands and to help wherever I can in the community, particularly with children, our next generation.

“I also enjoyed meeting my fellow volunteers who do such excellent work, bringing a real spirit of community to the Borough of Merton.  Our children’s nature club is currently looking for volunteers, so please get in touch if you are interested.”

Pictured top (left to right): Kamila Dyczko, Luciana Teuma, Auriel Dowty Glanville and Slawek Szczepanski (Picture: Carl Brown)