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Uppingham volunteer who made scrubs for NHS in lockdown recognised in Queen's Birthday Honours




A keen volunteer who helped make protective clothing for NHS staff during the Covid-19 pandemic has been recognised in the Queen's Birthday Honours.

Janet Thompson, from Uppingham, has been awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to the community.

News of the award arrived via email while on holiday last week, but Janet took a little convincing from her husband to believe the message.

Janet Thompson has volunteered in community work for 37 years. (48065691)
Janet Thompson has volunteered in community work for 37 years. (48065691)

"I'm not a suspicious person but I am cautious, particularly of bogus emails so I didn't open it straight away," she said.

"Even when I did and saw it was from the Cabinet office I had to ask my husband, 'do you think this is real?'

"It was completely unexpected and really overwhelming.

"For me volunteering comes quite naturally and I always try to get involved in any community-led projects."

One of Janet's many voluntary roles during the pandemic was to drive the Hopper bus in Uppingham
One of Janet's many voluntary roles during the pandemic was to drive the Hopper bus in Uppingham

Janet (60) has been volunteering ever since becoming a Brownie leader aged 23, but stepped up her efforts when Covid-19 hit our shores in spring of last year.

She made bandanas for NHS workers to counter the discomfort of wearing PPE as well as scrubs with personalised messages of support for staff at Glenfield Hospital and Uppingham Surgery as part of a team.

Fifty face coverings were then made and delivered for non-clinical staff at the surgery where she worked in an administrative role until retiring.

Janet's first voluntary role was a Brownie leader and she is still involved in the movement
Janet's first voluntary role was a Brownie leader and she is still involved in the movement

"When I gave up work I was able to do more and when the pandemic came along I just threw myself into everything because so much needed to be done," said Janet, who moved to Uppingham 10 years ago.

"We have had a horrible 18 months, but so many people have stepped forward to help and I am just one of them.

She also chaired a weekly Zoom call for UppWatch volunteers to keep them informed and connected during lockdown and did the same for the entire town as Uppingham Neighbourhood Forum chairman.

As a volunteer driver for the Hopper Bus, she helped deliver prescriptions, take patients to the surgery, and Year 10 students to school, but one of her most satisfying roles in lockdown was running weekly Zoom calls for her Brownie group.

"With the help of Helen Swift and Kate Atkinson we have really thrived over the last 12 months," she added.

"Having our Zoom meetings were a real success because out numbers have actually gone up.

"Part of the Brownie promise is to serve my Queen and my community and I really feel that's what I've done and a lot of other people in the country."

Among other roles, Janet volunteers as a member of the NHS Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Public and Patient Involvement Assurance Group, and is a director of community partnership group Uppingham First.

"I am first and foremost part of a team, I don't stand alone," she added.

"I love representing and town and county to make it a better place to live."

Others recognised locally include:

Founder of Rutland Foodbank, Ali Wainwright, who was made an MBE

Founder of Arts for Rutland, Peter Lawson, who has received a BEM



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