Janie has spent over 60 years volunteering and is still active working with many community groups.

14 years ago Janie took the responibility of running the Blind Social Group at Demesne Community centre, which provides arts and crafts activites, holidays and days out for blind and partially sighted people in Langley.

Transport to group is available for people in the Langley and Middleton area, with cake and tea being provided in between all the activities. It all costs 50p.

Janie's volunteering doesn't stop at the Blind Social Group!

Janie is also the secretary to the Inskip disabled club and a toddlers group that meets on a Friday morning in Heywood. “I love doing it and have fun doing it” if i didn't enjoy doing it, i wouldn't!

She is particularly proud of that fact that she has trained many young girls that have gone on to get careers as doctors, nurses and first aiders in their work.

Janie was recently selected as “hero of the month” by the Middleton Guardian, and was presented with a lovely glass trophy, £50 for herself and £100 donation for her nominated charitable organisation.

Janie lives in Heywood, but has had a long history of volunteering on Langley and the surrounding area.

She spent 46 years as awelfare officer and industrial nurse for Courtaulds in Castleton, and started in the St. John's Ambulance when she was in her early twenties, where she trained as a nursing sister.

“Volunteering keeps you going – it gives me a sense of purpose and keeps me doing something worthwhile. I remember years ago going to a talk by a specialist, he spoke about the importance of keeping your brain active and doing things you enjoy, and i've never forgotten it”

We are always looking for volunteers and anybody wanting to get involved can contact Demesne on 0161-653 2902

We are there Monday afternoons between 1 – 4.