Helpforce announces shortlist of volunteer champions in health and care across the UK
10th October 2022
Helpforce, which partners with health and care organisations across the UK to accelerate the growth and impact of volunteering, have announced their annual shortlist of the most exceptional volunteers in health and care across the UK. Helpforce Champions Awards are a chance to shine a light on those who give their time to help staff in the NHS and voluntary and community organisations, and support patients and their families and carers.
As the NHS faces another winter of pressures with worker shortages and long waiting lists, profiling the role of volunteers remains crucial. Volunteers have always played a significant role in health care provision. From supporting patients in hospital to befriending people in their own home’s volunteers have added value to patients and staff alike.
Including for the first time are nominees for Regional Volunteer of the Year, highlighting those volunteers in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland who have delivered exceptional service across a range of projects.
The full list of categories and the shortlist are below:
Outstanding Volunteering Team of the Year:
Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust
Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust
South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Volunteer to Career: Volunteer of the Year:
Helen Steele, Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust
Jack Ansell, South Central Ambulance Charity
Darren Fixter, South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Volunteer of the Year: Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, England (Sponsored by Room to Reward)
Scotland:
Sophie Nicola Ross, NHS24
Jim Woods, NHS Golden Jubilee
Steph Guerina, National Childbirth Trust
Wales:
Liz Langdon, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board
Ronald Evans, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board
Joanne Germon, Recovery Cymru
Northern Ireland:
Janet Potts, Northern Health and Social Care Trust
England:
Evelyn Blumenthal, Royal Free Charity
Petronella Baynes, The Hillingdon Hospital Trust
Peter Shackleton, DASH Disability and Support Hillingdon
Volunteer Manager of the Year:
Volunteer Manager Team, Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust
Sally Dyson, Norfolk & Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Sammy Lambert, Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust
Outstanding Staff Champion for Volunteers:
Jane Podkolinski, Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust
Steven Molyneux, St. Raphael's Hospice
Jordann Rowley, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board
Health Leader Champion for Volunteering:
Nic Dunbar, South Central Ambulance Charity
Sarah Armstrong, Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust
Clare Alagh, Hestia
Breaking down Barriers Award:
Kingston Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Community Integrated Care and Rugby League World Cup 2021
Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust
This year, all those nominated will be shared on Helpforce’s Wall of Fame as a way of thanking nominees, sharing their volunteer stories, and inspiring others to volunteer.
The awards will be judged by an expert panel of experienced judges including last year’s winner of Volunteer of the Year Sammy McKee, as well as Dr Helen Gilburt, Fellow in Health Policy, the King's Fund; Karen Bonner, Chief Nurse & Director for Infection Prevention & Control, Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust; Mark Lever, Helpforce CEO; Sir Tom Hughes-Hallet, Helpforce Chairman and Founder; Alisa Binnington, Director of Finance at Helpforce, Shirley Baines, CEO, the Burdett Trust for Nursing; Dr Yasmin Razak, GP, the Golborne Medical Centre, London and Emma Easton, Deputy Director Voluntary Partnerships, NHS England.
The winners of 2022 will be invited to a special awards ceremony in London, the Royal Airforce Club, on 4th November.
Mark Lever, CEO of Helpforce said of the nominees:
“Many congratulations to our finalists. To receive so many nominations this year is a testament to the value that volunteers bring across the sector. Those nominated clearly demonstrated a great commitment and real passion for patient care and support for staff.
“Volunteering across health and care is a proven yet massively underused asset. We know that people want to support their community and all kinds of public services stand to benefit – we need to urgently unleash this potential. We hope the Champions Awards can shine a light on this valuable resource.”
ENDS