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Pamela Bell, 37, was named Volunteer of the Year in the Headway Annual Awards at a glittering ceremony held at London’s Dorchester Hotel on Friday 16 December.
The national awards programme, run by UK-wide charity Headway – the brain injury association, celebrates the outstanding achievements and contributions of people with brain injuries and those working to support them.
Pamela was presented with her award by double Olympic gold medallist James Cracknell, who is Vice President of the charity.
Pamela first began working with local people affected by brain injury after she graduated from Belfast’s Queen’s University in 2015, and decided she wanted to use her talent to inspire and support others during their rehabilitation.
After seeing first-hand the devastating impact brain injury can have upon individuals and their families, Pamela did not hesitate to offer her skills for free.
The graduate, who works as a customer services advisor, frequently travels for up to three hours across Northern Ireland to deliver complimentary drama therapy sessions to members of Headway, a charity that supports people affected by brain injury.
The drama activities often range from simple warm-up exercises and bean bag games to help improve concentration and regain lost skills after brain injury through to creating improvised scenarios to encourage creativity from the members.
Sessions not only offer vital rehabilitation for people affected by brain injury, but they also provide an opportunity for members to discuss their problems in a safe space.
Peter McCabe, Chief Executive of Headway, said: “Pamela's contribution to Headway and her relationship with the charity's members is of exceptional value.
"Her willingness to make lengthy trips across Northern Ireland on a weekly basis to volunteer shows her outstanding commitment to supporting the individuals with whom she has developed a strong relationship that is based on trust.
"Pamela's generous spirit and selfless drive to improve life after brain injury for people in Northern Ireland makes her a deserving winner of this award."
The Headway Annual Awards celebrate the outstanding achievements and contributions of people with brain injuries and those working to support them.
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