Kinship Carer Receives Special Award

Mary Lagan, age 66 scooped a special award at the 2013 Older Volunteer of the Year Awards in Belfast.

Mary was nominated by Jacqueline Williamson, Chief Executive of 'Kinship Care NI' for volunteering her time to helping and supporting grandparents raising their grandchildren.

Mary, who is from Belfast has been raising her 3 grandchildren, age 8, 11 and 12 for the past year following the death of their mum on Christmas Day 2012.  Mary now supports other grandparents living in her area and has helped establish a new 'Kin Together' Support Group for grandparents and other relatives who are raising children of their extended family. 

Despite having to come to terms with the death of her daughter and lots of health problems, including a brain tumour, Mary is now using her own experience as a kinship carer to help others in the same position.  

Jacqueline Williamson, who nominated Mary for the Award said "Mary is the most selfless and inspirational person I have ever met.  She has changed the lives of kinship carers in her community and brought a new way of working to us as an organisation.  Many of the grandparents Mary supports have lost friends and important family members and they feel extremely isolated.  Mary has helped and supported these kinship carers and made them feel part of their community again. What an achievement for Mary".

The Older Volunteer of the Year Awards celebrate the contribution made by older volunteers to the work of organisations and community groups in Belfast.  Lord Mayor of Belfast Máirtín Ó Muilleoir presented Mary with her special award at a packed presentation ceremony at Belfast City Hall.

For more information on the work of Kinship Care NI or to find out how you can become a 'Kinship Care Volunteer' email [email protected] or [email protected]