News from our partners: Great Big Thank You Awards: Volunteer of the Year 2019

News from our partners Shropshire Voluntary and Community Sector Assembly

Volunteers come in all shapes and sizes, they are motivated by different things, but what is constant is the valuable support and time they give to families, friends and communities.

The Shropshire Star, along with the award sponsors (Shropshire Council, and Shropshire Voluntary and Community Sector Assembly), are searching for the outstanding and selfless individuals and groups across the county who make a difference to the people around them – and usually don’t expect any recognition for what they do. They may be members of your family, friends, neighbours, colleagues, or someone who you have heard about and found their story inspirational. But we can’t reward them – unless you tell us.

Voluntary and Community Sector Assembly in Shropshire logo

Gwilym Butler, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for communities, place planning and regulatory services, said:-

“We jumped at the opportunity to support the Volunteer of the Year award as soon as the Shropshire Star contacted us. We passionately believe in the value of volunteering, and the unsung heroes who provide so much but ask for little in return. The award fits so well with our values.”

Shropshire Council values volunteers highly. It works to support Shropshire Voluntary and Community Sector Assembly (VCSA), the local body bringing voluntary and community sector groups and organisations together to share information and enable partnership working across sectors. Shropshire VCSA works to highlight the work voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations do in Shropshire and the valuable roles volunteers play within many different types of activities and services.

Shropshire Council values the volunteers supporting council services and is also exploring how council staff may participate more in volunteering through a staff volunteering scheme, and promoting that people are proud of their work, their contribution to communities, and proud of their place.

Locally we see impact of the work volunteers do every day of the week and every week of the year, whether it is the people coaching activities and helping to give people the opportunity to take part in sport, or volunteers helping people to be independent for as long as possible in their own homes and communities. People volunteer in so many ways that benefit so many different parts of where we live and what we do.

Volunteering also offers opportunities to those who take part, providing the chance to learn new skills and meet new people. Younger people and older people all take part and help others by sharing their time and experience.

Volunteer of the Year

This award will go to an individual who regularly puts others before themselves and is generous with their time to support an individual or group. Some people dedicate a significant proportion of their lives to helping others, receiving no financial reward. This is their chance to be recognised.

The person, or people, you nominate should live or work in the Shropshire and mid Wales area, ie within the circulation area of the Shropshire Star. You can also nominate yourself. You can make as many nominations as you like but please complete separate nomination forms for each individual or group. Online nominations close midnight, Sunday 2 June 2019. In paper nominations must be received by 5pm on Friday 7  June to the below address:-.

The Editor, The Great Big Thank You Awards, Shropshire Star, Waterloo Road, Ketley, Telford, TF1 5HU.

You can either complete the nomination form at https://www.starthankyou.shropshirestar.co.uk/nomination-form or use the form available in the Shropshire Star newspaper during the competition.