Cygnet Aspen House is a 20 bed service specialising in high support inpatient rehabilitation (level 2) for women who have severe and enduring mental illness.
Activity Co-ordinator Mandy Kelly formerly served in the Army and is a long-time fundraiser for The Royal British Legion.
She explained: “I started my career in the Army so The Royal British Legion has always been close to my heart. Wherever I have worked I have always tried to get my workplace involved.
“For the last two years Cygnet Aspen House have made up all the poppy boxes on site which were then distributed to various locations around Rotherham for selling. On both occasions we have been invited to the launch of the poppy appeal where all the dignitaries are invited.”
This year, the Cygnet Aspen House team were also able to volunteer on a stall at the Tesco store in Rotherham and at Rotherham Hospital.
Mandy added: “It was such a rewarding experience and quite emotional at times when you listened to customer’s stories about loved ones.
“A couple of the patients at the end of the session were so inspired they said they would like to do it again next year and if they have been discharged by then, they would look to volunteer on their own.”
As a result of all their hard work, the Mayor of Rotherham, Cllr Sheila Cowen, invited some staff to have a tour of the Town Hall and to have tea and a chat in her parlour.
“She even arranged a birthday cake as the tour date fell on my birthday, which made the day extra special,” Mandy said.