A volunteer who will be taking early retirement to run her family’s charity which helps the blind has won our community hero award.

Jenny Marsh, 50, a primary school teacher from Watford will be retiring at the end of the school term to run the Watford Social Centre for the blind full time.

The charity was set up at the end of the Second World War with the help of Ms Marsh’s grandmother Rene Milton who helped fundraise to find a site for the centre.

Rene became the Chairman of the Trustees in 1955 and organised week programmes of events for the next 50 years until Mrs Marsh’s mother Susan Harper eventually took over as chairman in 1985.

Mrs Marsh began helping her mother at the centre during the school holidays when she was younger and since 2015 has taken over the day to day activities whilst being a teacher.

Mrs Marsh said: “Volunteering at the Blind Centre has been inbuilt into my life from a very early age.

“It is something that I gain much satisfaction and pleasure from seeing new members who are often in a very difficult stage of their lives dealing with a life changing diagnosis, they become more outgoing and happier after each session.”

The centre provides activities such as board games, darts and entertainment including school groups to help connect them to community and improve their quality of life.

“The members are full of fun and so appreciative of what we do. When walking into the hall during a session the buzz and laughter radiating from them all says it all.

“I am very passionate that the voices of the visually impaired in our community are heard and that they have access to a support network of others in a similar situation as themselves.”

When she begins running the centre full time, Mrs Marsh will focus on promoting the club to attract new members and running a support group for members who might be struggling in the work force.

When told that she won the community hero award, Mrs Marsh said: “I was delighted and surprised to be nominated.

“The charity and our sessions are run by a team of amazing volunteers, not just me, who all give up their time freely to provide the sessions.”