Last year alone, almost 650 people volunteered across our services, dedicating their time, their skills and their passion to us and the people we support.

Our volunteers come from all walks of life, with different life experiences and reasons for choosing to offer their time. The one the thing they all have in common? The impact they’re making.

Volunteers have the opportunity to influence and uplift people on their journey to recovery.

Speaking of a volunteer in their service, one Hestia service user said:

"I always look forward to his (the volunteer's) visits. He is a great motivator that brings the creative side out of all of us that take part in the art sessions and the sessions are therapeutic and help me relax. The sessions have also inspired me to pursue volunteering for Hestia."

Volunteers' Week runs from 1 - 7 June annually in the UK. It's an opportunity for organisations and charities from across the country to come together to offer thanks to those who give their time to help others in need.

There are thousands of charities across the UK, so we really appreciate the hundreds of individuals who have chosen Hestia as their charity to give to. As such, we host an annual Volunteer Awards coinciding with the national Volunteers' Week, to really show our admiration and offer a little something back in return.

Aligning with Hestia's core values, the awards up for grabs are the Dedicated Award, Courageous Award, Respectful Award, Collaborative Award and the Genuine award.

Other awards ready to be claimed are the Long Service Award for those who have dedicated numerous years to our services, the Supervisor of the Year award for a member of staff who has excelled in volunteer management and the big one: the coveted Volunteer of the Year award.

A big thank you to our corporate partner Hogan Lovells for hosting the ceremony in their London office, providing our volunteers with a well deserved (and delicious) buffet lunch, and a space to meet and mingle with other volunteers from across our services.

Thank you to our corporate partners ZOEVA, Mischcon de Reya, Sperry Marine, PZ Cussons, HSBC and Hogan Lovells for presenting the awards and providing gifts for those who took home the glory.

And a drum roll for the winners!

Long Service Award: Patricia Phipps and Joan Feakes

Dedicated Award: Claudia Kaplan, for going above and beyond in the support she offers to women across her two volunteering roles.

Genuine Award: Winston Belgrave, for volunteering at our Age Activity Centre for older adults for almost 30 years, hosting Tuesday bingo, Wednesday choir and Film Club Friday.

Respectful Award: Fred Macmillian, for his service as a volunteer mental health befriender, helping people suffering with their mental health to integrate back into the community and reduce isolation.

Collaborative Award: Helen Kombigo, described by her volunteer supervisor as 'the most dedicated volunteer I have ever worked with', for her work with staff, service users and other volunteers in improving every element of our services.

Courageous Award: John Payne, who at 87 years old, is a befriender to people who are suffering with their mental health, engaging them in stimulating conversation and helping them to reconnect with the wider community.

Supervisor of the Year Award: Jamilla Hekmoun, who takes time to adjust in working with volunteers with different experiences and supports volunteers to play off of each other's strenghts.

Volunteer of the Year Award: Laura Barber, who has used her lived experience to tirelessly raise awareness of mental health, working within one of our mental health services as well as with our Better Lives Forum to ensure service user voices are heard.

Congratulations and thanks, this week and every week, to all of our winners, everyone who was nominated and every single individual who offers their time to supporting us and our service users. You're truly helping succeeding in ensuring life beyond crisis.

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We are always looking to recruit volunteers to help across our services. Whether you're a kitchen whizz, gardening guru or music mogul, there's a volunteering position open to you.

View all of our current volunteering opportunities

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The Domestic Abuse, Assessment & Referral Service will support women and children experiencing domestic abuse to find safe, secure and suitable refuge spaces across London.

Volunteer for Hestia's Refuge Referral Line

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The Phoenix Project is an innovative new scheme for members of the community to come together to support victims of modern slavery.

Volunteer for the Phoenix Project

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The Croydon Modern Slavery Project launched an innovative new scheme in partnership with Croydon Council for members of the community to come together to support victims of modern slavery in the borough.

Volunteer for the Croydon Modern Slavery Project

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