A volunteer who helps patients settle back in at home following a stay in hospital is the latest nominee for a Telegraph & Argus Community Stars award.

Keith Duerden goes “above and beyond the call of duty to support vulnerable clients” say Lynsey Nicholson, Shelly Marshall and Sally Hinds from Carers’ Resource, who nominated him.

Mr Duerden, 59, helps with the Shipley-based charitable company’s Home from Hospital service, which helps ease people back into a normal routine and regain their confidence after a stay in hospital.

As well as volunteering, retired Mr Duerden, from Wrose, cares for his wife and father-in-law, which is how he initially made contact with Carers’ Resource.

Miss Nicholson said Mr Duerden was “chuffed” with his nomination.

She explained: “His sister died last year and he’s had quite a difficult year, but volunteering has boosted his confidence and really given him something to get up for in the morning.

“This volunteering is very important to him and helps him no end – it’s something for him as well as the people he’s volunteering for.”

Mr Duerden’s nomination in the ‘Volunteer’ category of the awards said: “He shows a great understanding in enabling people to have a ‘voice’, even when they may have a serious illness. He is very personable and can make people feel at ease very quickly with his warm, friendly approach. He has an ability to look at the whole person and learns about what it important to them, rather than imposing his own values. He does far more than a volunteer would normally be expected to do.” Mr Duerden said: “I feel very flattered that I’ve been nominated but I didn’t get involved in volunteering for the kudos. I wanted to help to improve other people’s lives.

“I got involved because of a family bereavement when I lost a sister in tragic circumstances and I had bereavement counselling.

“That was in March last year and when I stopped feeling sorry for myself I thought I wanted to make a difference to someone else’s life. By sheer chance, I saw an article in the T&A about an open day at the Carers’ Resource in Shipley.

“The one thing that caught my eye was the Home from Hospital scheme where people who have been in hospital are visited at home. I thought it was my chance to give something back to the community.”

The Community Stars campaign is organised by the Telegraph & Argus and Bradford Council. Categories include Good Neighbours, Volunteers, Fundraisers, Community Groups, Young Active Citizens and Community Champions. The closing date for nominations is Monday, September 2, and the winners will be announced at a ceremony at City Hall on December 4.

Nomination forms can be downloaded here