Celebrating Lynne’s Volunteering Spirit and Generous Donation

20 October 2025

Written by Lianne Young, Digital Engagement and Volunteering Officer

At Value in the Vale, we are constantly inspired by the kindness and dedication of our members – and this month, we are especially proud to celebrate Lynne Clarke, whose volunteering spirit and generosity have created a lasting ripple of positivity across the Vale of Glamorgan.

Lynne has given countless hours of her time to create a beautiful wellbeing garden sanctuary at the Civic Offices. This tranquil space, open to staff, offers a calm and restorative place to pause, reflect, and recharge. 

Through this work, Lynne earned credits with Value in the Vale – but in a remarkable act of generosity, she chose not to use them for herself. Instead, she donated 100 credits, worth around £150, to Vale Domestic Abuse Services (VDAS).

These rewards will provide service users with essentials such as free parking, hot drinks, toiletries, and beauty products, helping to ease the challenges faced during some of the most difficult times in their lives.

Lynne’s thoughtful gesture sparked something much bigger. Inspired by her example, friends, colleagues, and community partners rallied to multiply the impact with donations of cash, toiletries, toys, clothing, and other vital items.

Among the many contributions were:

• Niki West-Jones and family, who donated cash and toiletries and linked up with Morrisons community champions in Barry and Cardiff Bay to secure generous supplies of clothing, toys, and toiletries.
• Barry & District Rotary Club members, supported by Lynne and David Jakeway and Jude, who collectively provided £100 worth of toiletries.
• Staff and councillors at the Vale of Glamorgan Council, together with colleagues from the University Health Board based at the Civic Offices, who donated a tremendous range of toiletries – with special thanks to reception staff who managed and welcomed the donations.
• Laura Ellis, who made a significant donation of sanitary products via The Vale’s Period Dignity Scheme, ensuring that this campaign also tackled the important issue of period poverty.
• And a very special thanks to Lynne’s mother, who gave a heartfelt £100 cash donation, reflecting the family values of generosity that Lynne carries forward.

This collective kindness culminated in a special gifting event, where Lynne, Lianne, Nikki and members of Barry Rotary Club met with Charlotte from VDAS to hear more about the charity’s vital work. It was an uplifting day that perfectly demonstrated the power of collaboration – showing how individuals and organisations can come together to create real change for vulnerable people.

Reflecting on the experience, Lynne said: “I found the gifting it forward event really rewarding. It was lovely to see how different groups within our community can work together, which will have a huge, positive impact on vulnerable people within the Vale of Glamorgan.”

The Rotary Club echoed this spirit of unity: “Individually we can achieve good things, but together we can be great. Today’s effort went a long way to prove this.”

Charlotte from VDAS also shared a heartfelt message of gratitude: “I have to say I was quite overwhelmed when I walked into the room and saw the mountain of donations – it’s honestly the biggest single collection we’ve ever had, and it’s so heart-warming to know how many thoughtful people contributed to this.

“As a small charity, we put survivors first. We are led by them in supporting their safety and aftercare and this is because we know dignity, agency and self-esteem are the biggest contributing factors in recovery and breaking the cycle of abuse.

“It may seem like a small part of the puzzle but having the essentials and the home-comforts when entering refuge or coming into our wellbeing centre for the first time, provides a little glimmer of hope for women, that they are seen, heard, cared for and valued.

“You have all played a part in ensuring this can happen, and I’m incredibly grateful to you all. Thank you so much.”

Recognising Lynne’s Impact

Lianne from Value in the Vale summed it up perfectly: “Lynne is a shining example of what Value in the Vale is all about – recognising volunteers for the time they give and supporting them to reinvest that goodwill back into the community.

"Her dedication to the wellbeing garden, and her generosity in gifting her rewards forward, have not only inspired others but also made a real difference to those who need it most.”

Lynne’s story is a reminder of the incredible power of volunteering. What began as one person’s decision to give their time to a wellbeing garden has blossomed into a movement of kindness that touched lives far beyond its original intention.

At Value in the Vale, we are proud to stand alongside Lynne – and grateful to every individual, family, and organisation who contributed.

Together, you have shown that when kindness, teamwork, and community spirit come together, lives are changed for the better.

Thank you, Lynne – and thank you to all who joined her – for reminding us of the extraordinary impact of giving back.