UK’s only awards for volunteers in health and care are now open for nominations

5th July 2021

Awards

Members of the public are now able to nominate their beloved volunteers in health and care for the Helpforce Champions Awards 2021 - the only national awards that recognise the fantastic contribution volunteers bring to the country’s health and care system.

This year’s awards aim to recognise and celebrate volunteers and teams who have risen to the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, who have gone above and beyond to support patients, their families, and health and care staff in the time of need.

The awards are organised by Helpforce, a charity on a mission to accelerate the growth and impact of volunteering. This will be the first year that the awards allow the public to vote for their overall volunteer highlight in the new category “People’s Choice Award”.

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Mark Lever, CEO of Helpforce, says:

“2020 and 2021 have seen the NHS and all our healthcare services face one of the biggest challenges in their history, and we have seen volunteers step up in their thousands to help. Last year, we successfully launched “The Big Thank You to Volunteers'' to recognise all the brave volunteers. For this year, with the Helpforce Champions Awards, we are excited to celebrate all the volunteers by shining a bright light on those dedicated and caring individuals who give their time and talents to help staff and support patients, families and carers.

“I would urge anyone who has been inspired by volunteers to make a nomination to ensure their efforts are recognised.”

All submissions will be showcased on Helpforce’s Wall of Fame which will feature on their website throughout the year, as a way to recognise and raise awareness of the contribution that volunteers bring to the health and care system.

One of this year’s judges, Dr Amit Patel, best-selling author and active campaigner for accessibility, diversity and inclusion, said:

“From my time working within the NHS, I’ve seen first-hand the positive impact and support that volunteers bring, not just to patients but to their families and to the wider hospital community. Volunteers bring hope, strength and kindness in those darkest of times when it’s difficult to see past the pain and suffering. I’m a huge believer in the power of community. Too often we underestimate the power of a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, or the smallest act of kindness, all of which have the potential to turn a life around. I hope everyone can take a bit of time to nominate volunteers for the Helpforce Champions Awards so that volunteers know that all their hard work makes a difference.”

Gary Thomas, winner of Volunteer of the Year 2019, says:

“I am humbled to have received national recognition for the work that I do. It's definitely one of the highlights of my life. I really hope that this year, more people are recognised for their dedication to our healthcare. The NHS is full of remarkable people; I know there are many volunteers and teams that deserve to be recognised for their tremendous contribution to patients’ health and wellbeing and I know being nominated would mean the world to them because it does to me.”

Anyone can nominate – patients, staff or volunteers. The nine categories for this year include:

  • Outstanding Volunteering Team of the Year

  • Young Volunteer of the Year

  • Volunteer of the Year

  • Outstanding Staff Champion for Volunteers

  • Volunteer Leader of the Year

  • Partnership & Systems working in Volunteering

  • Innovation in Volunteering

  • Celebrating Inclusion and Diversity in Volunteering

  • People’s Choice Award

The deadline for nominations is Tuesday, 31st August 2021.

To nominate, please visit https://helpforce.community/awards