And the Winner is ...
By Action for Children Volunteer: Maria Harrison
I am delighted to share that last month I was invited to attend the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust (HWHCT) Staff Awards, as one of five volunteers representing the organisations that come under Starting Well Partnership. I was invited to attend after being shortlisted for the Volunteer Award and even more excited to announce that we won!
Without prior notice I then found myself as the one delivering the acceptance speech. I took a breath in, smiled and looked around at the hall of friendly faces looking back at me.
If memory serves, my speech went something along the lines of:
“We are grateful to have our contributions acknowledged…” Another breath and I continued, “Each of us volunteers here this evening represents the partners; Barnardo’s, Action for Children and Redditch Borough Council, which collectively work under Starting Well Partnership.
As with all volunteers, these roles are delivered in addition to our day jobs, family responsibilities and at times, personal challenges. I met the other four volunteers for the first time this evening,” I then remembered looking across to the group on stage who are laughing at this fact, as were the audience. “We bring our life experiences and are training by our respective organisations to help and support families across Worcestershire. Thank you again for the recognition and the award.”
In chatting with Debbie, Sarah, Charley and Ruth, the other volunteers, I was in ore of their stories and commitment towards volunteering and we get something back too.
For me, being a volunteer, I am stimulated with a sense of team, purpose, and achievement, and often receive validation for what I have to offer. It is also rewarding to see the effect, sometimes immediately, of the information/knowledge I have shared. It makes a difference to make a difference (copyright me!).
It was a great evening and I enjoyed listening to the stories and endeavours of HWHCT staff, collecting their awards, and sharing their speeches. There were also guest speakers from within the Trust that gave departmental insight and new awareness of how dedicated the teams are.
Starting Well Partnership delivers a range of parenting and community support and volunteers through Health Visitors, Parenting Support Workers, Community Nursery Nurses, School Health Nurses, Health Care Assistants, Volunteer Coordinators, Community Health Connectors, Business Support Officers and Administrators.
Each of the teams work together with NHS colleagues for different geographical areas:
- Action for Children - South Worcestershire, which includes, Malvern, Worcester City & Wychavon Districts.
- Barnardo’s - Wyre Forest District
- Redditch Borough Council - Redditch & Bromsgrove Districts
Visit our website for more information on our services or to apply for one of the many rewarding volunteer roles available.
Receiving our award, pictured in the group photograph (L-R): Volunteers, Charley Barker and Ruth Harper –for Redditch and Bromsgrove District Council, Debbie Lamont – Action for Children, Sarah Oliver – Barnardo, with the award presented by Steve Peak Non-executive Director and Sue Harris Director of Strategy and Partnerships, and myself, Maria Harrison a volunteer with Action for Children.