Volunteer Awards 2025

It’s Volunteer Awards time again and this year we’ve a few exciting changes for you.  We’ve revamped the Award Categories AND we’re bringing the Awards Evening in line with National Volunteers’ Week 2025.  ALL nomination categories are open to ALL Ages – so take it all – keep up with our socials too as we build up to the main event on Friday 6th June 2025 – this year being held at the Totally Wicked Stadium, St Helens.

Here are this years’ categories – a few new and our most popular from previous years:

  • Biggest Heart - Does someone in your volunteering team always give it their all? Is their heart bursting with pride in the work that they do? Are they a brilliant listener and do they go above and beyond to help make the difference?
  • Personal Achievement - Has someone developed themselves or overcome personal challenges through their volunteering?
  • Outstanding Achievement - Of course, all volunteers make an outstanding contribution, but is there someone in your team who goes above and beyond?
  • Sport & Physical Activity - It takes some amazing volunteers to keep clubs and activities going – from coaches to the stalwart weekly kit cleaning volunteers.  those dedicated volunteers who give their time and energy to help others stay active, healthy, and connected through sport Who do you depend on in your club or activity?
  • Team of the Year- Too hard to nominate just one volunteer? Has your team made a significant and positive impact through working together? 
  • Long Service Award - Do you have a volunteer on your team who has been volunteering with you so long, you’re now not sure when they started?! Tell us the story of how they got started volunteering and why they continue to volunteer.

Once again this year we will be looking for one nomination that stands out above all nominations and this volunteer will receive the Jean Mulford Award for Special Achievement 2025. 

This is your chance to really show us how fantastic the person, group or organisation is! We need you to tell us why you think the individual, group or organisation you are nominating should receive this award. We encourage inspirational and emotive comments. The judges will make their decision on the information you provide. Please note that if successful, the words could be used at the Awards Ceremony.

Eligibility

Anyone can be nominated for one of the award categories if:

  • They are a volunteer living in Halton or St Helens.
  • They are not a previous winner of an Award at Halton & St Helens VCA Volunteer Awards
  • They are not nominating themselves!

Nominate someone for an award

How can I make a nomination?

Fill out the simple online form to tell us who you want to nominate and why. 
All nominations for consideration should be received by noon on Monday 19th May 2025.

If you would prefer to use a printed version please email awards@haltonsthelensvca.org.uk

Send us your nominations by

Top Tips for writing your nomination:

We’ve put a few tips below for you to keep in mind when you make your nomination.

  • Assume we don’t know anything about your nominee or the organisation/s they volunteer with. 
  • Tell us what your nominee does for your organisation, and why it makes a difference.
  • Link it to the category you’re nominating them for – why did you choose it.
  • Identifying information is anonymised before the nomination goes to the panel. For example, a sentence that reads: ‘Jane volunteers every week at the charity shop’, will be sent to the panel like this: ‘[Nominee] volunteers every week at the charity shop’.

How will the winners be decided?

All nominations received will be put forward to a panel, who will decide the winners for each category. The panel will include representatives from our sponsors, our board of trustees and the HSHVCA team.

Are there actual awards?

If you haven’t experienced our Awards Evening before, then you’re in for a treat.  We know that volunteers don’t do what they do to be congratulated. But we also know that sometimes being recognised is a big, well-earnt morale boost.  Though there are winners of each category, every volunteer nominated is invited to attend and has their moment to shine on stage.  

VOLUNTEER AWARDS 2025 RULES

  • Nominations must be received by Midday on Monday 19th May 2025.
  • Individual Awards cannot be nominated by a partner, family member or themselves.
  • Permission must be sought from the person or group of volunteers to be nominated.
  • Nominations MUST live in the boroughs of Halton or St Helens but their volunteering can take place outside of these areas.
  • The judges’ decision on entries is final.  Shortlisted nominees may be placed into different categories.
  • Winners will be announced on the night of the awards ceremony.
  • In addition there will be also be the Jean Mulford Award for Special Achievement.
  • The Judges reserve the right not to make an award in a category if they feel that nominations are not suitable.
  • Please ensure we have all of the nominees contact details and the application is completed in full.
     

Consent must be given by the nominee prior to sharing their details with Halton and St Helens VCA.

All information will be processed in line with the Data Protection Act and UK GDPR.

For further information about how Halton and St Helens VCA process data please contact lbeechey@haltonsthelensvca.org.uk