Helpforce announces shortlist of volunteer champions in health and care across the UK for 2023

31st July 2023

HF Champions Stars

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. The Helpforce Champions Awards are a chance to shine a light on those who give their time to help staff in the health and care sector, and support patients and their families and carers.

As the NHS faces another winter of pressures with worker shortages and longer waiting lists, profiling the role of volunteers remains crucial. Volunteers have always played a significant role in health care provision. From supporting patients and staff in hospital to befriending people in the community, volunteers have added value to patients and staff alike.

The full list of categories and the shortlist are below:

Celebrating Equality, Diversity & Inclusion in Volunteering (ED&I Award)

Impact Project of the Year

Volunteer of the Year

Outstanding Staff Champion of the Year

Volunteer Lead of the Year

Volunteering Collaboration of the Year (Partnership)

Best Volunteer to Career programme


Congratulations to all the shortlisted nominees!

Mark Lever, Chief Executive of Helpforce, said:

“Congratulations to those who have been shortlisted for this year’s Helpforce Champions Awards. The standard of the submissions has been extremely high with evidence showing the great impact that volunteering has on our health and care system. We hope that the finalists feel very proud to get to this stage. It is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the difference that they make to patients, carers, and staff. We want to thank everyone for taking the time to recognise the volunteers and send our congratulations to those who have been shortlisted and we’d like to wish them the best of luck.




The awards will be judged by an expert panel of experienced judges including a winner of Volunteer of the Year Sophie Ross!

The full judging panel can be found on our main Helpforce Champions awards page here.

The winners of 2023 will be invited to a special awards ceremony at the Royal Airforce Club in London, on the 13th October!

Champions 2023 Celebration image