Bassetlaw Community and Voluntary Service has celebrated their 50th anniversary in style with their biggest volunteer recruitment event to date, followed by Volunteer Awards ceremony to recognise and thank some of the most dedicated and inspirational volunteers in Bassetlaw.
The volunteer recruitment event, which took place on Tuesday 6th June at Worksop Town Hall, was attended by over 100 people, all interested in finding out more about volunteering with one of the 27 local charities in attendance. This will give local charities a real boost at a time when they are needed more than ever due to unprecedented demand.
The Bassetlaw Volunteer Awards saw 77 nominations by members of the public, with an independent panel of judges tasked with choosing the winners.
Stephen Brown, Head of Corporate Services at Bassetlaw District Council and one of the judges, said: “Volunteers play such a vital part in our local community supporting so many important services and activities for local people. Much of this work goes on with little appreciation so we are honoured to say thank you to those nominated for these awards – you are all winners.”
The winners were:
- Volunteer of The Year (joint winners): Richard McHugh, In Sam’s Name and Stephanie Brierley, From The Heart Charity
- Health and Wellbeing Volunteer of the Year: Stewart Fisher, In Sam’s Name
- Cost of Living Volunteer of the Year (joint winners): Jane Brettle, Kingston Park Academy Food Hub and Denise Tomlinson, Bassetlaw Food Bank
- Fundraising Volunteer of the Year: Claire Smith, From The Heart Charity
- Heritage Volunteer of the Year: Heather Moxon, Bassetlaw Museum
- Supportive Volunteer of the Year (three winners): Gemma Jackson, Rhubarb Farm, Oasis and Willow Garden; Miroslaw Lipiec, Polonia Worksop; and Eddie Croot, Carlton-in-Lindrick Boys Brigade and Girls Association
- Young Volunteer of the Year: Nat Henderson, Centre Place
- Outdoor Volunteer of the Year: Peter Thomas, Ordsall Churchyard Group
The award winners were selected for their dedication, passion, and unwavering commitment to giving up their time to make Bassetlaw a better place. Without volunteers like them, the organisations they support would not be able to do the work that they do.
An additional ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ was also presented to Fran Walker. Fran has been a stalwart volunteer in Bassetlaw for over 50 years. She is the current Chair of Trustees at BCVS and has been a trustee since BCVS was first established. She has also volunteered her time and expertise to a number of other charities in Bassetlaw including Focus on Young People in Bassetlaw, The Gatehouse Trust, and Manton Community Sports and Leisure, which is now the home of Bassetlaw Food Bank.
Fran was delighted to receive the award and remains a shining example of lifelong volunteering. She is an inspiration to all and her passion in life has always been to help others.
More volunteers are always needed, and there is a variety of different roles that you can get involved with.
If you didn’t get chance to attend the volunteer recruitment event then don’t worry – BCVS will always be on hand to connect you with a volunteer role to suit your needs and interests. Just email bcvs@bcvs.org.uk, call 01909 476118, or visit www.bcvs.org.uk/volunteer and they will soon start you an amazing journey that will not only change the life of others, but it could change yours too.