Mabel Greaves, a long-serving volunteer and trustee with Home-Start Lakeland, has been awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for her unwavering commitment to helping families in Fermanagh.
Described as “irreplaceable” by colleagues and “a breath of fresh air” by the families she has supported, Mrs Greaves has humbly accepted the award, insisting it reflects the collective efforts of the entire Home-Start Lakeland team.
Speaking to this newspaper following the news of her honour from King Charles III, Mrs Greaves said:
“Truthfully, I am totally shocked and overwhelmed. I have colleagues and friends who do as much as me and more.
My name might be on the award, but it is for everyone involved in Home-Start Lakeland.”
Mrs. Greaves has volunteered with the charity for 18 years, following her retirement from Santander. She first became aware of the charity after hearing a talk at her church and signed up to volunteer. She is now a trustee of the charity, while continuing to volunteer.
It is estimated that during her 18 years with the organisation, Mrs. Greaves has supported between 35 and 40 families in Fermanagh.
Her family — including her husband Colin, a former Sales Director with The Impartial Reporter, her children Tanya and Paul (Jackie), and grandchildren Lucy and Adam — are delighted with the news of her honour.
Reflecting on the recognition, she said: “I am just overwhelmed; people have been so kind.”
It is fitting that the longstanding volunteer’s award was announced at the conclusion of Volunteers’ Week.
“My favourite part is the volunteer part,” she explained. “You are in with a family who needs a bit of help. We are not social workers — I am going in with the qualification of being a mother and a grandmother.
We go in once a week for a maximum of three hours and mum tells us what she needs.
“It is, without a doubt, a privilege for me to be allowed into the homes of all the families I have worked with. It’s quite something for them to accept me into their homes.”
Diane Noble, co-ordinator at Home-Start Lakeland, congratulated Mrs. Greaves on her honour: “We are so proud of Mabel, and her BEM award is well deserved.
Mabel is the type of volunteer I can place with any family — but she is also the type of volunteer who is hard to take away. Families never want to part with her.
“I frequently say that if I could clone Mabel, my job would be a lot easier!
“Not only is Mabel a home visiting volunteer, she has also been a trustee of Home-Start since 2016. She has been particularly involved in the finance committee, volunteer recruitment, fundraising, and is the Safeguarding Trustee.
“Mabel is always willing to lend a hand — whether that’s taking on an extra family, bag packing, street collections, or washing up at a Home-Start event.”
A mother who was supported by Mrs. Greaves shared her heartfelt appreciation: “Mabel is the nicest lady I have ever met. She came to help me in my hour of need, and myself and my family will be forever grateful.
“Nothing was a problem — from nursing my babies, doing housework, to just listening to me when I needed to vent.
I truly believe I would have ended up with postnatal depression if I hadn’t had Mabel’s support. Every Wednesday couldn’t come quick enough. She was a breath of fresh air, and I needed her more than she will ever realise.
“Mabel has left a massive print on my heart. Because of her good nature and guidance, I will definitely volunteer to help people in need in the future. She is an inspiration.”
The spirit of volunteerism was alive and well with Mrs. Greaves as she concluded her interview by encouraging anyone interested in volunteering with HomeStart Lakeland to contact the charity and avail themselves of the opportunity.