The West Bergholt Volunteer of the Year 2024/25 Award!
Do you know a volunteer who deserves to be celebrated for their outstanding contribution to West Bergholt?
Whether they’ve
- spearheaded a local community project,
- organised impactful events,
- raised charitable funds, or
- been a supportive mentor through their volunteer work,
… we want to hear about them.
Nominees must reside in West Bergholt or have carried out their volunteer work within the community. Age is no barrier – we welcome nominations for volunteers of all ages! Form & details are below.
Last Years’ Winner
Announcing the result at the Annual Parish Meeting, Cllr Butcher noted that having had a number of nominations to be the recipients for this year’s award one person stood out:
‘He has been the treasurer for 1st West Bergholt Scout Group since September 1997 which, in itself, is an achievement. But, in addition, he has also helped as a skills instructor with the Scout Troop since the early 2000s, turning out most Wednesdays to help run the Troop and provide instruction and guidance to our young people. In this role, he has also helped organise and run hikes and camps for the Scouts and the Group. Furthermore, he has been the main person behind the maintenance of the Scout Hut for over 25 years, giving up his free time at weekends to repair, replace and renew the Hut and its fixtures and fittings. As the Group Scout Leader said the Group would not be what it is without his dedication and support.’
The recipient of this year’s Volunteer of the Year Award was Philip McNeill. Lieutenant Colonel Rankin then presented Philip with his award. (photo) And Kevin Sturdy of the 1st WB Scouts expressed his thanks to Philip for the work he has done for the Scouts over the years and how lucky the organisation has been to benefit from Phil’s time and the money he has saved them.
The Nomination Form
- Volunteer of the Year 2025 Nomination Form; (MS Word)
- Volunteer of the Year 2025 Nomination Form. (Printable PDF file – download reader here)
The Criteria/Small Print
The West Bergholt Volunteer of the Year 2024/25 is a new Community Award that is to be presented to an individual volunteer who has made an outstanding contribution to the village of West Bergholt, its residents, or just one resident. That person will have demonstrated exceptional commitment to an unpaid activity.
What could it include?
Examples may include;
- starting up or running a local community project, event or activity
- increasing charitable fund raising within the community
- sterling involvement in a successful voluntary or not-for-profit project or group such as a community care or safety group, environmental initiatives, youth work, etc.
- volunteering which has had a notably positive influence on one resident, or group.
- maybe considered a mentor to others based on their volunteer work.
The above examples are by no means exhaustive, but the volunteer must live in West Bergholt or have undertaken their volunteer work in West Bergholt, they can be of any age.
How do I nominate someone?
Nominations should be made on a form available from the Parish Clerk [email protected] or downloaded , or a copy can be requested by phone, 07726 424419.
The judging panel will be looking, in confidence, for evidence of as much of the following as possible. Please ensure that you include everything that could apply:
- Demonstration of outstanding commitment to their unpaid activity and role
- A long-lasting benefit to the community in which the work is undertaken, or resident.
- A record of positive results and achievements
- Exceptional commitment to an organisation or resident
Please complete, including as much evidence for your nomination as you can, and return the form before the deadline of Wednesday 9th April.
Notification of Success
The successful nominee and nominated winner will be notified by Friday 18th April
The Award in the form of a framed embossed certificate will be presented at the Annual Parish Meeting on 23rd April 2025, to which the nominee and nominator will be invited.
