Hertfordshire Celebrates Local Community Champions at Volunteers' Week Fair

Community champions from across Hertfordshire were recognised and celebrated during Volunteers' Week at the Hertfordshire Volunteer Fair, bringing together members of the public, charitable organisations, volunteers and community leaders for a day highlighting the power and importance of volunteers in our community.

Now in its 4th year, the Hertfordshire Volunteer Fair organised by GoVolHerts hosted 35 organisations from across Hertfordshire to share the incredible work they do, for a day of connection, networking and opportunity. The fair has become a signature event in Hertfordshire’s Volunteers’ Week celebrations.

The event also gave a nod to GoVolHerts’s involvement in May’s national campaign, A Million Acts of Hope, with its own ‘One in a Million’ awards. Volunteers’ Week thanks all volunteers for all they do; these new awards were a chance for organisations to shine a spotlight on the particularly special and impactful contribution of individual volunteers who have really gone the extra mile. 

Organisations participating in the Fair were invited to nominate volunteers whose contributions made them their One in a Million, and given the opportunity to share their story. Of the many nominations, five winners were selected: Kevin Allchorne at Music 24, Julie Fordham at Hertfordshire Health Walks, Lyndsay Abbott at Garden House Hospice, Angela Johnson at British Schools Museum and Beth Molloy at Marie Curie.

Hearing the winning acceptance speeches was incredibly touching, with all citing how rewarding volunteering has been for them just as much as the organisations.  Beth Molloy designated herself a ‘volunteering addict’, and Angela Johnson loves ‘every brick of the British Schools Museum’ and getting ‘the chance to bring history to life’, proving that volunteering opportunities don’t just give meaning to the organisations they support but also the individuals who support them. 

Other nominees who were given a special mention included Mark Smith and Heather Cotton from Hertfordshire Health Walks, Caroline Palliser from Reach Out Hertfordshire, Duncan and Judy Rodgers from Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust, Olanike Bejide from Greater Level Network, Jackie Burrows at Services for Young People and Albert Sharman from Growing Resilience in Teens.

The celebrations were attended by a number of VIPs and dignitaries, including the Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshire, Robert Voss CBE CStJ, High Sheriff of Hertfordshire Anna Rankin, Major of Stevenage Cllr Lloyd Briscoe and Labour MP Alistair Strathern, as well as Hertfordshire and local Councillors, who joined attendees in recognising the remarkable achievements of local volunteers and community champions. 

Reflecting on the work charities do and the necessity for volunteers for them to continue, Robert Voss said: ‘We have just under 4,000 charities in Hertfordshire and I say to each and every one of them, I wish you didn’t exist but am I glad you do. Volunteering is not only great for the charity but is a wonderful opportunity for the individual. Talk to anyone who volunteers and they will tell you, what they get out of it is huge – it really is a wonderful therapy. Even a day a month, a day every three 

months, you will get something out of it and so will the charity you support.’ 

With Volunteers' Week having drawn to a close, the success of the volunteer fair and the celebration of Hertfordshire's One in a Million nominees and winners stands as a testament to the generosity, commitment and community spirit that continues to thrive across the county.

For more information about volunteering opportunities in Hertfordshire, visit govolherts.org.uk

Lyndsay Abbott, One in a Million winner from Garden House Hospice and Hannah Morgan-Gray, CEO at North Herts and Stevenage CVS

Hannah Morgan-Gray, CEO at North Herts and Stevenage CVS, Lord Lieutenant Robet Voss, Anna Rankin, High Sheriff of Hertfordshire, Cllr Lloyd Briscoe Mayor of Stevenage, Emily Butterworth Project Lead at GoVolHerts

North Herts & Stevenage CVS team and projects L to R, top row: Opal Reid, Michal Siewniak, Deborah Smith, Andy Nazer, Kimberley Buet, Jon Brown, Sally Griffin, Michelle Crowe, Emily Butterworth 

Middle row: Amanda Treadaway, Hannah Morgan-Gray 

Bottom row: Bec Down, Katie Edwards

Nick Payne, Volunteer Photographer