Tracey Staples

Volunteer Chair, Hermione Social Club

Tracey Staples, 51 and from Medway in Kent, has volunteered at the Hermione Social Club for 22 years, after originally intending to do it for only three months. The club offers a secure place for adults with learning and physical disabilities to meet and make new friends.

Tracey started as a volunteer helper but became chair of the organisation after the previous chair, her close friend Joan, asked her if she would do so shortly before Joan passed away.

Since then, Tracey has carried out the preparation and planning for weekly club meetings, growing the membership to 135, and organises regular trips and holidays abroad for the service users and their carers – something they may never experience without help from the club.

In addition to her work for the Hermione Social Club, Tracey cares for her 82-year old mother and works full-time for another charity that helps disabled and disadvantaged people to remain employed.

Jacqui Nelligan, who nominated Tracey, said 'Tracey has a lot of dedication, commitment, pride, love and passion in what she does'