Celebrating volunteers for everything they do in the community

With Cheshire West Voluntary Action’s (CWVA) Volunteer Awards taking place on Tuesday 13 December to help celebrate the work of volunteers across west Cheshire, a number of Cheshire West and Chester Council’s buildings are being lit orange.

The Volunteer Awards is run by CWVA annually as part of its volunteering campaign, aiming to help more people in west Cheshire take up volunteering opportunities.

Chester Town Hall, Eastgate Clock and Newgate in Chester, Ellesmere Port Library and Wyvern House in Winsford will all be lit orange as part of the celebrations as the colour has a strong association with volunteering and giving.

There are the following categories for this year’s Volunteer Awards.

• Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Team of the Year
• Inspirational Volunteer of the Year
• Older Volunteer of the Year
• Team of the Year
• Trustee of the Year
• Younger Volunteer of the Year

The team at CWVA will also be presenting a Lifetime Achievement Award, which is given to somebody who has made a significant contribution to the community sector in west Cheshire over many years.

A panel, including Councillor Louise Gittins, Leader of the Council, has met to decide the winners ready for them to be presented at the event on 13 December by Jeannie France-Hayhurst, High Sheriff of Cheshire. 

Gary Cliffe, Chief Executive of CWVA, said: “Our Volunteer Awards is an important part of our volunteering campaign and a lovely way to round off the year by celebrating all the brilliant things about volunteering.

“We receive so many inspiring nominations each year and it’s always difficult for the panel to decide between them.

“We’ve seen over the last few years with the COVID-19 pandemic how vital volunteers have been in the local community and that continues to be the case with the challenges around the cost of living.

“Not only is volunteering extremely rewarding, but it can also open doors for many people and help them become more employable so I’d encourage anyone to consider it.”

Councillor Gittins added: “It was fantastic to be part of the panel and hear about all the amazing work being done by volunteers in the local community.

“The Council works closely with CWVA and other partners in the community sector around volunteering to help people access the many opportunities that are available.

“Our communities have shown such strong spirit in recent years and it’s important we continue that with some of the other challenges we all face.

“Rewarding volunteers for the work they do in the local community is such a key part of that.”

CWVA’s volunteering platform showcases a range of different volunteering opportunities across west Cheshire so you can find a role that suits you.

Get involved with volunteering