The hard work of Carolyn Armstrong to help people with AIDS and their families saw her handed a Community Service Award by Bermuda CableVision.

Mrs. Armstrong, the co-ordinator of the Light House care home and director of STAR (Supportive Therapy for AIDS Persons and Their Relatives), was honoured at a presentation attended by Minister of Health Nelson Bascome.

Praising her for her work, CableVision general manager Terry Roberson told her: "Under your administration, Light House was opened and has been home to countless people dealing with HIV. You have demonstrated great respect for your clients, ensuring they go about their lives in as normal a way as possible, with dignity and privacy."

Congratulating Mrs. Armstrong, Mr. Bascome said: "Mrs. Armstrong and her staff help to make life easier and as normal as possible for those living with HIV. How wonderful that they have the support and security of Light House."

Detailing her work, Mr. Roberson explained to the assembled guests: "While running STAR, Mrs. Armstrong and her colleagues noted a need for a safe haven for those infected with HIV who did not require full-time hospice or hospital care. Sixteen years ago this month, that vision was realised with the opening of Light House.

"Light House has become a place that clients can truly call home. It offers its residents shelter, food, health supervision and spiritual support, but is not a medical facility. It is a home for the homeless that are HIV positive, as well as a home for those who cannot live independently while they cope with HIV.

"Since it opened, 133 people have benefitted from Light House. The home is comprised of five bedrooms, one private room and four rooms with two beds. It is open to men, women and families.

"Because Light House is a home, its residents learn to take pride in their surroundings and are encouraged to entertain visitors there, and celebrate special events. Light House staff encourage clients to learn how to support themselves, with the ultimate goal being independent living outside of Light House. As such, interested clients are instructed on how to secure employment, return to school and find affordable housing. Once clients leave Light House, they are offered ongoing support through a community-based programme.

"According to the Department of Health's 2008 Annual Report on HIV/AIDS in Bermuda, the HIV/AIDS epidemic was documented about 27 years ago in Bermuda. Encouragingly, the report also indicates that AIDS diagnoses and deaths have declined and stabilised since 1997. How wonderful that a place like Light House exists for those who need the support."

Mrs. Armstrong said: "It is humbling to receive CableVision's Community Service Award. At STAR and Light House, we try to go about doing our work quietly so that we can maintain confidentiality and normalcy for our residents. At the same time, it is wonderful to be recognised."

In recognition of Mrs. Armstrong's work, CableVision made a $1,000 donation to Light House in her name.

• A committee reviews all nominations and selects a winner for the quarterly CableVision Community Service Award, which will next be presented in July. Nominations can be e-mailed to Rollin Nathan at rnathan@cablevision.bm, or mailed to the attention of Rollin Nathan, Bermuda CableVision, P.O. Box HM 1642, Hamilton, HM GX. For further information, visit www.cablevision.bm.