A resident who goes above and beyond for others, but also has his own health battles, has won our Kindness Competition.
Paul Channing, who lives at Springfields Extra Care scheme, dedicates lots of his time making sure everyone is happy at the Bristol scheme.
He arranges lots of social events and does regular errands for people on the scheme.
LiveWest launched its Kindness Competition to celebrate those incredible people who are supporting others and those going above and beyond in their community.
Paul, 76, said: “We’ve all had a rough year, so you’ve got to do something for them. It’s getting residents out of their flats and into the community rooms.
“I write everything in my diary because I’ve got to take people to hospital appointments as one lady has got to go regularly so I take her in my car as a taxi is expensive for them. So, I do it because I want to help out.
“That’s how I was bought up - if somebody is in the gutter, you help them out of it. It makes me feel a lot better because I have a few illnesses, so it saves me thinking about it and they all really appreciate it.
“I don’t want their money or anything, just as long as they say thank you that’s the main thing.”
Paul struggles with his own health issues and three years ago he was given just six months to live. So, he tries to grab every opportunity and give them to others.
Paul said: “Sometimes I have to go into hospital and get sorted out, but it isn’t about me. I like to be very independent and treat myself if I can.
“I get a lot of pleasure out of seeing other residents smiling and laughing as well as joking around with a crowd.
"I didn't even know about the competition but I think it's great LiveWest has run it because hopefully, it lifts people's spirits up so it's very good."
Our scheme manager, Dee Griffiths, nominated Paul because of his efforts to bring a smile to others despite his own health battles requiring him to need hospitalisation. But for Paul, he enjoys doing things for others because it keeps him busy.
Even though Paul is one of the newer residents, that doesn’t stop him from getting stuck into organising some fun activities.
He likes to keep himself busy by arranging bingo sessions, regular coffee mornings, music evenings and line dancing evenings. He is also the chairman of the resident social committee and helps to fundraise so they can do more social activities.
Paul said: “So we've our committee going now for residents, we meet once a month and we have a chat and then we put it to the resident, what they want, they make certain decisions. And then we try and comply with what the wishes are. We try and fundraise so residents can do what they want.
“The residents tell me to slow up and rest. But they come and knock on my door and say they have a problem, so I try and help them out.”
Paul puts other people before himself and is very supportive towards helping others out.
Paul said: “Dee’s been there for me and she’s always there for me to talk to her and help sort myself out. I talk to her about what we can do, and we can go from there.
“She tells me I’m doing too much but you’ve got to do it, haven’t you?”
Scheme manager, Dee Griffiths, said: “Paul helps other residents by taking them to GP appointments, for their COVID and flu jabs, taking rubbish to the tip for other people, getting shopping for them and he generally has a 'can do' attitude towards other people.
“He really supports his fellow neighbours in this community, even dismissing his own problems making them second to other people’s struggles and difficulties.
“Paul is loved by pretty much everyone and really has made a huge difference by his kindness to so many people at Springfields.”