Your last chance to make nominations for this year’s Cheering Volunteering event!
Thursday, 22 March 2018
The nomination deadline for this year's Cheering Volunteering event is fast approaching; applications will close at midday on Monday, 8 April 2019.
Nominate a volunteer online >>
This year will mark the fifth Central Bedfordshire Cheering Volunteering event to say thank you to those who give their time to help others. We run the event in partnership with the volunteer centres, as part of Central Bedfordshire Together. The event is a great way to show our appreciation to volunteers.
Sponsored by Biffa, Pro Logis, Grand Union Housing, Weir, Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service and Ringway Jacobs, the Grove Theatre will host the awards evening on Tuesday, 4 June.
Seven awards were presented on the night last year, with winners ranging from fundraisers for the Road Victims Trust to Friends of Houghton Hall to Leighton Buzzard Hockey and a men's weight-loss coach.
For this year, there will again be seven awards presented:
- Young Volunteer of the Year
- Volunteer of the Year
- Volunteer Group of the Year
- Outstanding Contribution
- Lifetime Achievement
- Sport and Wellbeing Volunteer of the Year
- Panel's Choice
The evening will consist of a buffet, fantastic entertainment and awards at the Grove Theatre in Dunstable. We are pleased to welcome back Billy Lee as our host for the evening to introduce some incredibly talented local artists.
Funding available
The Inspiring Volunteer funding pot of £5,000 is to support projects which encourage volunteering or kick-start new activities involving volunteering. Grant awards will be made from a minimum of £100 to a maximum of £1,000 and applications for this funding is open until at midday on Monday, 8 April 2019 and can be made on our website too.
Diane Barnes, 2018 Cheering Volunteering winner of the Outstanding Contribution award, said: "It was brilliant to hear about all the work the various nominees had been doing for all of the categories, and was a real celebration of what people do voluntarily. I had no idea that I would be the overall winner for the Outstanding Contribution award, but I reflected afterwards and feel very proud of what has been achieved."
Councillor Carole Hegley, our Executive Member for Adults, Social Care and Housing Operations, said: "These awards are a great opportunity to celebrate the contribution that volunteers make to our community. If you know of anyone who you think deserves some recognition, we encourage you to put them forward for an award."
Councillor Caroline Maudlin, Deputy Executive Member for Adults, Social Care, Housing Operations and Customer Services added: "The Cheering Volunteering Awards is a very successful event and a great way to show our appreciation for hardworking volunteers around Central Bedfordshire. Many volunteers give up their time and energy expecting nothing in return, but we don’t think this should go unrecognised. The awards are a fantastic opportunity to celebrate their hard work, and it is always a privilege to hear about all the support our volunteers have provided."
Nominate a volunteer, apply to the Inspiring Volunteering grant scheme, or find out more about Cheering Volunteering.