We could all do with
THE home service library in Kirklees brings more than just books ... it brings a friendly face into the homes of people who are often lonely and isolated.
The service takes books out to the homes of people who for whatever reason, struggle to leave the house and visit their local library.
And at the forefront of this is Ian Newsam who has worked for the service for 27 years.
The 61-year-old from Dewsbury takes books to people aged from 11 – a boy who has to provide care within his family – to a 103-year-old.
The service has been reduced in recent years and so they use small vans instead of the large mobile libraries.
But Ian has got to know the people who uses his service and so stocks authors and genres he knows they will like and will also get special requests for them.
He said: “Some are disabled or very vulnerable and I may be the only person they see that day or even that week.
“We get to know them and can also point them towards other council or charitable services which could help improve their quality of life, making it more manageable and enjoyable. The service is a very important part of their lives.”
He was nominated by Kirklees development librarian Amy Hearn after she had spent a day with him visiting people on his round.
She said: “At every home we visited Ian was greeted warmly like a close family friend. He spent a few minutes chatting to lonely people who might not speak to anyone else that day or even that week.
“Ian knew what was going on in the lives of the people he visited, asking about their family and TODAY our countdown to the Examiner’s Community Awards a week on Thursday reveals the three shortlisted nominees for Friend of the Year. The winner will be revealed on the night at the glittering awards ceremony at the John Smith’s Stadium.
Tomorrow we turn the spotlight on those shortlisted for our Services to the Community Award. friends, their illnesses and discussing things he knew they were interested in.
“On top of this, Ian changed lightbulbs, checked people had enough milk, lifted and carried and did any odd jobs that would help prevent people having to struggle to lift things they couldn’t manage or risk a fall by climbing steps.”
In winter the Home Service vans have been the only contact for these vulnerable people in times when even home care providers haven’t been able to visit. Ian has made tea and sandwiches for those who have been forced to struggle all day without much needed help.
Amy added: “Ian delivered hand chosen books and talking books to customers like a lady whose husband is 93 and housebound and for whom books bring a mental escape. She has barely left her flat in years.”
On Amy’s day with Ian the final stop was a return visit to a lady, who mentioned it was her birthday the next day, to deliver a card and some roses.
Amy added: “She mentioned that her daughter was visiting at the weekend to take her out for lunch, but she’d be alone until then and would see nobody and have no gifts to open on her birthday.” REAL friends help one another in times of trouble, and that’s why Roy Pickering has nominated Sharon Farr.
They first met almost 20 years ago when Roy was working at Allders department store in Leeds and Sharon was a sales representative for an electrical wholesalers in Leeds and used to go into the store on business.
They became friends and in the year 2000 Roy underwent a hip operation.
He lived alone and 43-year-old Sharon, who then lived in Leeds but now lives in Lindley, used to travel over to his home in York almost every day for three weeks to care for him and do his shopping until he was able to walk again.
Roy, who comes originally from Birmingham, retired from Allders when he was 65. He moved to Greetland but became ill with bladder cancer. He has also suffered from lung cancer and needed steroid injections for arthritis.