A volunteer whose dedication to residents at Edensor Care Centre in Clacton has made a profound difference to their lives, has been announced as a finalist for a prestigious BBC Make a Difference Volunteer Award.
Carole Darby has been volunteering at Diagrama Foundation’s Edensor Care Centre since the loss of her husband, Colin, who was a much-loved resident at the home. Rather than stepping away from the Edensor community following his death, Carole chose to stay and give her time to other residents.
Since then, she has become a very popular and familiar face at the care centre, volunteering almost every day without seeking recognition or reward.
Edensor provides specialist dementia and nursing care, supporting residents to retain their independence and dignity for as long as possible through meaningful, person-centred care and activities. Carole plays an important role in helping residents make the most of every day.
She assists at mealtimes, supports activities, accompanies residents on outings and, most importantly, provides companionship. Whether sitting quietly with someone, sharing a conversation or bringing laughter into the room, Carole has an instinctive ability to understand what people need and respond with warmth and kindness.
Her presence has become a source of comfort and reassurance for residents, who greet her with joy and have developed deep trust in her. She also provides valuable support to the care team and contributes to the warm, family atmosphere at Edensor.
Carole’s daughter, Helen, said: “Mum is blissfully unaware of the positive impact she has… she simply loves being part of the Edensor family.”
Carole’s nomination recognised the significant difference she makes to residents’ lives, particularly at a time when every day matters.
The nomination said: “In a setting where time is precious, Carole helps ensure that residents’ days are not just cared for but truly lived.”
David McGuire, CEO of Diagrama Foundation, said: “We are absolutely delighted that Carole is one of the finalists for this award. She is an extraordinary example of the difference that one person can make simply by giving their time, kindness and companionship.
“Carole has become such an important part of the Edensor family. Her commitment is remarkable, but what makes her particularly special is that she never seeks recognition. She volunteers because she genuinely cares about the residents and wants to make their days better. We are incredibly proud of Carole and hope she knows just how much she is valued by everyone at Edensor.”
Carole is one of the finalists in the Volunteer category, with the winner to be announced at the BBC Make a Difference Awards ceremony on Sunday 6 September 2026 at Chelmsford Theatre.
The awards will be hosted by BBC Radio Essex presenter Sonia Watson and Britain’s Got Talent finalist Sonny Green.
For more information Edensor Care centre visit www.diagramafoundation.org.uk/senior-dementia-care/edensorcarehomeclacton
If you’d like to support the residents at Edensor, you can help by purchasing an item from their Amazon Wishlist: https://linktr.ee/diagramaamazonwishlist. Every contribution, big or small, helps enhance the daily lives of the people Diagrama supports.
About the BBC Make a Difference Awards
The BBC Make a Difference Awards celebrate inspirational people who make a positive difference to the lives of others in their communities.
About Edensor Care Centre
Edensor Care Centre in Clacton-on-Sea, is a nursing and dementia care home. The team of carers and nurses provides exceptional, compassionate care fortified by Montessori values, enabling residents to, where possible, retain their independence, pursue interests and maximise social opportunities to live a fulfilling life in a homely and warm environment.
About Diagrama Foundation
Diagrama Foundation is a Kent based charity that supports vulnerable children, young people, and adults to live their best life.
Diagrama has a Supported Living Service across Bromley and Mid Sussex, three homes for adults with learning disabilities in Orpington, an eight-bed care home for adults with learning disabilities in West Sussex with a Community Services Programme a fifty-bed care home for the elderly with nursing and dementia needs in Essex, and a fostering and adoption service in the southeast. Plus, a 100 acre property offering farm and craft day Services cross West Sussex.
- The Supported Living Service, cares for adults with learning disabilities, in seven schemes across Bromley and one scheme in Mid Sussex, helping them to develop skills and confidence to live in their own house either on their own or with others.
- At Cabrini House in Orpington the charity promotes the development of core skills for adults with learning disabilities so that they can lead independent lives integrated within their community.
- Diagrama Care Home at Duckyls Farm, is a residential care home in West Sussex on a 100-acre farm for residents with learning disabilities, which allows the charity to explore the physical, mental and social skills and benefits that working with animals and in nature can offer to people with a learning disability.
- Diagrama Community Services at Duckyls Farm is a day care provision for people with a learning disability, physical and sensory impairment, acquired brain injury and/or autism.
- The team at their nursing and dementia care home, Edensor Care Centre in Clacton on Sea, support vulnerable residents to live life to the full.
- Diagrama’s voluntary adoption agency and not-for-profit fostering service cares for children who wait the longest for homes in London, Kent, Sussex and Surrey.
Many vulnerable children and adults don’t get the support they need to develop their true potential, but the Diagrama team know that when someone has time and belief invested in them, they come alive, because that investment has made them feel valued and worthy.
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