Horsham couple win award for volunteer work with Syrian refugees

Jane and David Casey, members of London Road Methodist Church in Horsham, have just been named among Methodist Insurance’s 11 regional winners in its national Church Volunteer Awards.

They beat hundreds of other nominees, winning a £1,000 prize for their church, and they now go forward to a national final where they stand to win even more.

The couple have been helping Syrian families relocated to the area with the town’s refugee support group.

Church steward Helen Currington, who nominated them, said: “Jane teaches the refugees English, while David helps decorate their homes. They befriend these vulnerable people, helping them with appointments, negotiating red-tape, and organising children’s outings.

“They both work on the Horsham churches night shelter, and on our church summer holiday club. David is part of the Open the Book team, while Jane runs our mother-and-toddler group, managing other volunteers.

“She also works on the Alzheimer’s Society’s Time for Dementia project, linking medical undergraduates with people with dementia and their carers.

“David’s a church steward, and a member of the council and leadership teams, as well as the property mission team – he also helps with DIY where needed! And then he leads the church scout group – Sixth Horsham – and volunteers with the Horsham green gym which improves the environment in and around Horsham.

“They’re both shining examples of volunteering in the church and the wider community.”

Talking about the work she and her husband do with refugees, Jane Casey said: “They’ve come from absolutely terrible situations, often arriving here bewildered and unable to speak English.

“Some can’t even read or write Arabic. We see it as our duty as Christians to welcome them and help them to settle in in any way we can.”

She said they were ‘humbled’ by the award, adding: “We’re retired, so we have more time to give,” she said. “There are many volunteers in the church, all doing their best to spread God’s love.”

The Methodist Insurance Church Volunteer Awards competition was launched in June last year, and saw Methodist churches throughout the country invited to nominate volunteers for their exemplary work in their churches and local communities.

More than 200 people were nominated, and a panel of judges – featuring regional representatives – selected 11 winners from across the UK.

Members of the public are able to vote for their favourite at the Methodist Insurance website with the results from this vote being combined with the scores from the Methodist Insurance national judging panel to determine the national winner.

Voting is open until Wednesday, July 15, with th national winner being revealed in October where they will receive an additional £2,000 donation for their church.

Michael Angell, chief executive of Methodist Insurance, said: “At a time when society can seem increasingly inward-looking, and when so many people feel lonely and isolated, the voluntary efforts of Methodists in their churches and wider communities is humbling and inspiring, and we are delighted to be able to celebrate their wonderful efforts.

“The coronavirus outbreak means that these are very challenging times for us all, and many have had to put their activities temporarily on hold. But one thing is for sure: as soon as the restrictions are relaxed these volunteers will be back out again, helping the most vulnerable and needy in society.”

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