Bristol woman wins volunteer award after mum dies

A woman has been awarded for her work to help people with their bereavement, after her own mum's death.

Jess Sheridan, 20, from Bristol, won the Young Volunteer of the Year award at the Hospice UK Awards.

Ms Sheridan was helped by the support team at charity Dorothy House while she was coming to terms with her grief in 2020.

"It's really nice to give back, to relate to people. It's cathartic for me," Ms Sheridan said.

Ms Sheridan, who started volunteering for Dorothy House after her personal loss, has been involved in the recently re-launched Dragonfly Project.

It is an annual community education scheme that reduces anxiety and opens up conversations about death and grief.

Last year, she participated as a facilitator at a pastoral training course hosted by Dorothy House at Monkton Combe School and attended by teachers and nursing staff from many schools in the local area.

"I have a lot of gratitude for their work, they are very loving and compassionate," she said.

"It helps me as well, we have really deep conversations and a lot of joy at Dorothy's House," Ms Sheridan said.

On the award, she added: "It's lovely to be acknowledged, but there's so many people who do amazing work. I'm glad I can represent the charity."

Wayne de Leeuw, CEO of Dorothy House Hospice Care, said: "We are delighted that Jess's local work has been recognised by such a prestigious national award.

"We hope that the ripple effects of Jess's work will spread far and wide so that young mourners are more visible within our society, and that educational institutions are better prepared to support their needs."

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