Basildon Borough Volunteer Awards a success

The 2023 Basildon Borough Volunteer Awards has taken place with special individuals from across the borough getting recognised for their brilliant achievements.

There were nine categories to choose from for this year’s awards, including Young Volunteer of the Year, Community Star, and Voluntary Group of the Year.

Sylvina Tate of St Luke’s Hospice, was proudly awarded with the Inspirational Role Model Award, in addition to the Overall Volunteer of the Year, and was awarded the Tony Guyon ‘Volunteer of the Year’ Memorial Cup. Other winners on the night included Peggy Harris of Pitsea Activity Centre for the Long Service Award, Holy Trinity Covid Vaccination Centre who won the Voluntary Group of the Year and People’s Choice Award, and Joseph Want, winner of the Community Star for his work in the Happy Hub, helping the public access mental health advice.

The ceremony featured a number of live performances, including a band performance by T.I.M.E (Together in Musical Expression), a dance by Taste of Brazil, and a singing performance by Billericay Operatic Society. Attendees also heard a Dementia Friendly Communities Talk by Mark Neville, Pan Essex Dementia Friendly Community Co-chair.

The awards ceremony took place at Towngate Theatre, hosted by representatives from Basildon Borough Youth Council with opening and closing speeches from the Mayor of Basildon, Councillor Luke Mackenzie.

Councillor Terri Sargent, Cabinet Member for Communities added: “Well done to not just the winners but all the nominees on the evening. It was great to see so many special individuals who do such selfless work to better the lives of our residents.”

The Volunteer Awards were delivered by the council in partnership with the Basildon Billericay and Wickford Council for Voluntary Services (CVS). Basildon Council thanks the lead sponsor, Clarion, and sponsors on the evening, Leonardo, CNH Industrial, Morgan Sindall Property Services, Atlantic Pacific group, Hallmark Care Homes and Independent Age.

The winners and highly commended for each category are below:

WINNER HIGHLY COMMENDED

Young Volunteer of the Year

Thomas Williams (various groups)

Aaron Svanda (Every Child Online)

Fundraising Champion

Jon Barrow (Sociability)

Keeley Scarborough (Feeding the Family)

Inspirational Role Model

Sylvina Tat (St. Luke’s Hospice)

Community Star

Joseph Want (Motivated Minds)

Long Service Award

Peggy Harris (Pitsea Activity Centre)

Adrian Swinchatt (Papworth Trust)

Michael Long (Gateway SEN Club)

Karen Batman (9th Basildon Scouts)

Voluntary Group of the Year

Holy Trinity Covid Vaccination Centre

People’s Choice

Holy Trinity Covid Vaccination Centre

People’s Choice

Holy Trinity Covid Vaccination Centre

Castledon Wat Tyler Volunteers

Lifetime Achievement Award

Ken Porter (Basildon Heritage)

Volunteer of the Year

Sylvina Tate (St Luke’s Hospice)

Peggy Harris (Pitsea Activity Centre)

Volunteer of the Year - Winner - Youth Council representatives presented the evening: Naomi, Michelle, Maizat, Kuukua, Tawona and Imogen

Are you available on a Wednesday evening?

Fancy trying something new in 2023?

Why not come along and play short-mat bowls?

We are a friendly group of local residents looking for additional people to join us for a non-competitive roll- up!

A l l a ges a n d a b ilities we lcome. Fi rst 2 s essions F R EE!! No equipment needed, just flat soled shoes!

As the name suggests, short mat bowls is a shortened version of the original outdoor lawn bowls game with the added bonus that it is played all year round, indoors in the warm, on a mat!

Where: T h e N evendon C e ntre, N evendon Ro a d, Wi c k ford. S S 12 0 Q G ( B e hind Eve B e l l e C a re H o m e)

When: We d nes day eve n ing 6 . 45pm u n til 9 p m

For more information, contact Margaret 07979 041953

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