Celebrating our incredible volunteers at the very first PSS Volunteer Awards!
The PSS Volunteer Awards were a big ole’ celebration of the amazing work our volunteers do all year round—a chance to shine the spotlight and, of course, say a great big thank you for all their hard work.
We created six brand-new categories and encouraged people, both internally and externally, to vote for the volunteer or volunteers (we had a few team categories) who have made a difference to the service they volunteer in. We had nearly 40 fantastic nominations but only six award categories for the win!
Let’s hear it for the winners!
Star of the Year Award
This award is for a volunteer who has gone above and beyond and made a real difference to the service they volunteer in. Someone who is truly brilliant and gives their time to make a difference to the lives of others or make PSS a better place.
And the winner was… Phillip Surrey!
I feel very proud of myself for winning this award because it’s the first time I’ve ever won anything like this.
Phillip Surrey Volunteering Star of the Year
The Thinking Big Award
This award is for the ideas people—someone who has come up with an idea, big or small, that has made a difference to how things are done within their service, the lives of people we support, or at PSS.
And the winner was… Mark Feenan!
Winning at The Volunteer Awards was a surprise! It was lovely to hear how well thought of we are by staff, especially Cath and Sylvie. I love being a volunteer and also a part of the PSS family.
Mark Feenan The Thinking Big Award winner
The Working Together Award
This award is for a group of volunteers who are brilliant at co-production. They work closely with people we support to make a positive difference to their lives or to the services we offer and push the boundaries to support people to do what they love, despite any challenges that come their way.
And the winner was… PSS Parent-Baby peer support group!
This dream team of volunteers truly lives the PSS values and always gives their all. They are such a hardworking group, and I truly believe PSS wouldn’t be the same without them—not only because of how much work they do (and they do a lot!) but because they’re always making people smile and bringing a little bit of joy into everyone’s day. If any team deserves to win this award, it’s these three—what a team!
Property services superstars The Volunteering Team of the Year
Living the Values Award
This award is for someone who lives and breathes the PSS values. They’re big-hearted, open-minded, determined, genuine, and professional all rolled into one. They don’t just demonstrate our values; they channel them into everything they do.
And the winner was… Kevin Nestor!
I’m over the moon about winning the award! I feel like I’ve improved my confidence and feel really proud of myself.
Kevin Nestor Living the Values Award
The Belonging Team of the Year Award
This award is for a volunteering group who have gone the extra mile to learn how to be more equitable and inclusive in their volunteering roles. They’ve made changes to the way they do things to make their service more accessible and inclusive for everyone.
And the winning team was… Wellbeing Centres peer support group!
Our amazing team of volunteer peer supporters use their lived experience to help others, and they’re an integral part of our service. They are symbols of hope, showing others that with the right support, things can get better. Each of them has shared their personal story to be part of someone else’s wellbeing journey, which is such a brave and generous thing to do.
Wellbeing Centre peer supporter group The Belonging Award
Volunteer Team of the Year Award
This award is for a team of volunteers who have made a massive impact on volunteering at PSS. They’ve made really positive changes to the service they’re volunteering in.
And the winning team was… Property Services superstars!
It felt like an achievement that not only we, but others around us, acknowledge and appreciate the work and commitment we put in to work as a team. It felt humbling and amazing, it was rewarding to see our efforts as a team made an impact in some way, which felt nice, and to win it felt like we were truly acknowledged.
The PSS Parent-Baby peer supporters The Working Together Award
And that’s a wrap for volunteering in 2024!
It was such a joy to reflect on volunteering across the organisation and have people joining us both in person and online from across the UK. While we may be spread out, the connection across our volunteer network is stronger than ever!
Our volunteers make what we do possible—from gardening gurus and peer supporters to recycling superstars and so much more. Thank you for your incredible dedication.
Here’s to being even bigger and better in 2025!
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