By Bethan Hopkins, CAN Comms Lead

At this year’s Voluntary Service Awards, we were honoured to celebrate Kymberley from Pause Cat Cafe, a true testament to the power of volunteering. Nominated for her incredible dedication and hard work, Kymberley’s journey is a powerful reminder of how volunteering can transform lives and build communities.

When Kymberley first joined the team in August 2021, she faced challenges with social interaction due to autism and selective mutism. Initially, she focused on tasks that required little social interaction, such as cleaning and wrapping cutlery. However, over the past three years and more than 300 shifts, Kymberley has blossomed into an invaluable asset to the Pause team.

She has now mastered nearly every role at the café. From welcoming guests and giving a full host speech to taking customer orders and crafting drinks as a trained barista, Kymberley has shown incredible progress and commitment. Her outstanding customer service has even earned the café glowing reviews.

Beyond her café duties, Kymberley’s kindness shines through her care for the cats. She performs health checks, manages their social media accounts and has built strong friendships with her fellow volunteers. Her inspiring journey has paved the way for others, showing that with a kind heart and hard work, anything is possible.

We are so proud to share Kymberley’s story and celebrate her as a shining example of what makes our community so special.