A widowed mother-of-five has dedicated her life to helping others in need.

Nicola Forbes, 47, juggles volunteering at both Home-Start Merton and Jigsaw4u, with part-time evening work at Sainsbury’s and looking after her five children.

At Home-Start Merton she works on the domestic violence team, supporting up to five families at a time with advice and support on a range of issues.

It is one of the mothers she works with who nominated her for the Volunteer Award.

The nominee said Mrs Forbes is sympathetic, caring, understanding, supportive, encouraging and optimistic.

She has been a great source of support emotionally and understands the woman and her young son completely.

Mrs Forbes, who lives in Morden, has been battling ill health after a pulmonary embolism in her lungs a couple of years ago forced her to give up work.

As she started to recover she decided to go into the voluntary sector and is now enrolled on a counselling course as well as volunteering and juggling family and work life.

She lost her second husband Roy Forbes 18 years ago but despite this she is determined to help those in need.

Speaking about the nomination, Mrs Forbes said: "It was a bit of a shock.

"It was a pleasant surprise."

Nominate someone for a Merton Civic Award now by filling in the form in the Wimbledon Guardian each week or do it online at http://www.wimbledonguardian.co.uk/mertoncivicawards