Winners announced for The Folkestone & Hythe Excellence in Volunteering Awards
THE outstanding contribution volunteers make to the community was recognised at an awards celebration during Volunteers Week on Thursday (6 June).
There were nearly 100 volunteer nominations for the inaugural Folkestone & Hythe District Excellence in Volunteering Awards. Deputy Lieutenant of Kent, Mrs Susie Warran-Smith, did a fantastic job helping to host the event and congratulating volunteers.
Nominees ranged from volunteers offering food, repairing beloved items and giving financial support with a smile, to environmental groups, bowls clubs and groups supporting dementia services going above and beyond in their roles. From groups of over 100 volunteers working tirelessly to help deliver services to groups of four making sure valued community projects keep running.
In the individual category there were volunteers in their 80s, who showed no signs of slowing down, busy working mums organising community activities and volunteers providing consistency, stability, knowledge and support to struggling young people.
There were volunteers setting up groups to reduce waste and protect the environment and others organising fundraisers, social events and making their towns and villages bloom.
Other volunteers were nominated simply for bringing joy to others.
Emma Cooney, Charity Manager at Kent Coast Volunteering, which organised the awards on behalf of Folkestone & Hythe District Council, said: “All nominations showed us there is a wealth of kindness and talent in Folkestone and Hythe.”
A council spokesperson, who had the idea for the awards, said: “Volunteering can change the world of the individual, group or community they help, but it can also change the world of the volunteer. Yes, volunteers genuinely want to help others, to give something back and to make a difference, but many acknowledge the difference volunteering has made to their own wellbeing, not just because they feel good for doing what they do but because volunteering gives them a new purpose, allows them to put their skills and attributes to good use, and brings them into contact with other people they wouldn’t otherwise meet or get to know.”
The awards ceremony at Quarterhouse, Folkestone, was during the annual Volunteers Week celebration, which starts each year on the first Monday in June.
The winners were:
- Ray Johnson (Trustee) for his work with on the board at many charities and other organisations
- Brockhill Park Performing Arts College (Group) 800 pupils taking part in volunteering in the community including Hythe in Bloom, Hythe Dementia Awareness, Remembrance and much much more
- Ashbie Woolcock (Youth) for his work with Hythe Youth Forum, student council and The Royal British Legion
- Heather-Gail De Souza (Individual) for her work with Money Matters debt advice service
- Leonie Wootton (Special) for her work setting up and supporting garden projects across the district, including Sandgate Community Garden, and sharing her knowledge of food and growing with others.
One nominee said: “Leonie has inspired so many of us to improve how we grow food and also how to encourage more insect life. Her gentle, open and encouraging approach has helped people who do not naturally seek out groups and who may have some difficulties in making friends. She has involved nursery children, school children and young men from Napier Barracks. Leonie’s enthusiasm and knowledge is an inspiration.”
If you or someone you know is interested in volunteering, please contact Kent Coast Volunteering volunteering@kcv.org.uk and leave a message for Folkestone & Hythe volunteer connector Mark Connorton.