Volunteer Awards 2020

About the Awards

There are seven award categories; Boldest, Creative, Respect, Inspiring, Supportive, Young and Group. And from these winners an overall Volunteer of the Year is named.

Nominations open each year for around one month and from these nominations a shortlist is created and winners chosen by an external judging panel. Winners are announced at the ceremony, which will take place on Thursday 9th July at The Exchange Hotel, Cardiff.

Our volunteers help for so many different reasons. Some do it to give back for the support they’ve received from us, or because they know someone who did, some do it to spread the word about our work and make sure that others receive the support services we offer, some do it to gain confidence, some do it to get a job, some do it to meet people and through that make friends.

Whatever the reasons, our volunteers really do make the difference, and we hold these Awards because we value their support and want the world to hear about their work!

How to write a nomination

Writing a nomination is easy. You don’t need to be a brilliant writer, or have to think of something clever just be honest and tell us why you think they need a thank you.

It could be how they’ve helped you personally or how they’ve helped the charity. Think about the skills they have, the qualities they show and how their behaviour benefits others.

Simply, how do they make a difference and why did they get involved?

Please put as much information in your nomination as possible, because it’s not about how many nominations a volunteer gets – it’s about the quality.

The external judging panel are unlikely to know the person you’re nominating, so you’ll need to clearly explain what they do, where they help, how often, why they got involved and the difference it makes for you, others or the charity as a whole.

What can I nominate someone for?

You can nominate anyone who helps the charity by giving their time or sharing their skills to support us. This could be putting on events, fundraising, helping in a shop, helping in the office, helping at an event, with our support services or our wellbeing or research teams.

Simply pick the category that you think best suits them.

Who can I nominate?

You can nominate any Tenovus Cancer Care volunteer or group of volunteers but you’re not able to nominate yourself. Remember, you can nominate as many volunteers as you want!

Don’t forget to get your nominations in before Thursday 2nd April.

Volunteers who have come up with truly innovative ideas in support of our mission, which have shaped services or raised significant funds.

For volunteers who have dedicated their efforts to support staff, other volunteers, fundraisers, charity supporters or people affected by cancer and their loved ones.

For volunteers who demonstrate outstanding courage, bravery and resilience in helping Tenovus Cancer Care to achieve its aims of supporting people affected by cancer.

For volunteers who inspire others to achieve noteworthy success, or who have inspired others with their achievements.

For volunteers who have acted with an energetic, enthusiastic, compassionate and positive attitude while volunteering with us.

For volunteers aged 25 and under at close of nominations, who’ve demonstrated commitment and resourcefulness beyond their years and achieved great success for us.

For a group of volunteers whose joint efforts have achieved remarkable success that would not have been possible without each member.

Celebrating our volunteers’ success is very important to us and the Tenovus Cancer Care Volunteer Awards are the perfect opportunity to say a huge thank you to them, as well as showcasing what they help us achieve, to our supporters and stakeholders.

By sponsoring an award or the Awards ceremony reception, you’ll be demonstrating your organisation’s commitment to community involvement, as well as helping us recognise the importance of volunteering and the dedication shown by the thousands of volunteers who support Tenovus Cancer Care each year.

The opportunity for your company

We would be delighted if you partnered with us as a sponsor of the Volunteer Awards 2019. Our sponsorship packages are loaded with benefits and will showcase your brand across our network, to the public and to the audience on the night.

All award categories are available for sponsorship as well as overall Headline Sponsor presenting the Volunteer of the Year Award.

What previous award sponsors say

“Western Power Distribution (WPD) has developed a strong partnership with Tenovus Cancer Care over the last few years through sponsorship of a variety of events such as the Volunteer Awards, reinforcing its commitment to supporting community projects across Wales. Working with Tenovus Cancer Care’s corporate account managers, WPD has been able to identify ongoing projects that have a natural synergy with its business. These projects have also helped WPD to deliver its corporate social responsibility objectives.”

Karen Welch, Public Relations Officer

The benefits

As Karen said, sponsoring an award can help you achieve your social corporate responsibility goals as a company and is an excellent way to do so whilst supporting people, living and working in your employees’ communities. It can also bring fantastic engagement opportunities including networking and team building challenges.

It’s been found that over 90% of consumers would switch brands to one that is associated with a good cause, so sponsoring an award and linking your company to Tenovus Cancer Care could bring more benefits than you think.*

Get in touch

Email corporate@tenovuscancercare.org.uk or call 029 2076 8863 for more details on our Volunteer Award sponsorship packages, and to find out how, with your support we can help more people affected by cancer.

*2011 and 2013 Cone Communications Corporate Social Responsibility Studies

Our 2019 Volunteer Awards took place at the Principality Stadium on 11th July and was hosted by our wonderful Patron, Carl Edwards.

The special evening was made possible by our sponsors; Western Power Distribution as Headline Sponsor, Allens Printers, Sears Seating, Go Compare, Hillside Accounting, Print Sauce, Hutchings & Thomas and PXtech.

We heard stories from dozens of our amazing volunteers and it was clear our judges had an extremely difficult job.

Our overall Volunteer of the Year was:

Carol Owen (Inspiring Award Volunteer)
A huge congratulations to Carol who won our Volunteer of the Year Award. This is a special award given to the winner of one of the categories who best displays all our values; creativity, being supportive, being bold, having respect and being truly inspiring.

Our Volunteer Award category winners were:
Creative: Jan Gibson

Jan is the Finance Treasurer of the Bridgend Friends of Tenovus Cancer Care Group and a member of her local Sing with Us choir.

Jan spends hours making beautiful handmade cards to sell at local community events, the hospital and choir practice, and making sure that the charity is promoted in the community. She makes cards to order and may well be up half the night ensuring her orders are met. She never lets anyone down and raises over £1,000 a year!

Jan’s vocation in life was nursing and she’s brought the same compassion, professionalism and pride she gave to her job, to her volunteer role. She’s always there with a welcoming smile, a hug for those who need one, an ear that listens and a calm voice of reassurance and support. She’s a bucket-shaker, card maker, high-note hitter and a loyal friend to Tenovus Cancer Care.

Boldest: Gill Morton

Gill encompasses all five Tenovus Cancer Care values. As well as being a dedicated Sing with Us choir member, she’s also a member of the local Friends of Tenovus Cancer Care Group and has recently signed up to become an ACTivate Your Life volunteer.

When Gill was diagnosed five years ago she wasn’t sure she’d make it to her 60th birthday. To celebrate the milestone she decided to climb 60 mountains, reaching the final peak just days before her 61st birthday and raising thousands of pounds for the charity despite being afraid of heights. This year she plans to take on the Anglesey Coastal Path, posting pictures along the route to show that there is life after cancer.

She’s open about how Tenovus Cancer Care has supported her, and is willing to help in any way she can to give back to the charity.

Inspiring: Carol Owen

Carol could be nominated in any of the categories but the one that shines above all is Inspirational.

As the longest serving member of Llandeilo Friends of Tenovus Cancer Care Group, Carol has worked tirelessly to guide the group, known locally as ‘The Golden Girls’, for over 30 successful years; bringing the community together and raising over half a million pounds. Carol has that rare talent of making people feel special, a winning smile and a mischievous sense of humour. She’s inspired a network of supporters who give their time and skills out of love and respect to her.

In 2012 Carol was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Honours list for her work in and around Llandeilo. She even ensured that Tenovus Cancer Care is well known in Llandeilo by organising a visit from the Mobile Support Unit.

Although in her 80s Carol shows no sign of slowing down. She’s tenacious, wise and dedicated to the cause. Within Llandeilo, Tenovus Cancer Care is synonymous with Carol.

Supportive: Gaynor Roberts

Gaynor volunteers at the Wrexham Sing with Us choir and has been organising the local Friends of Tenovus Cancer Care Group for the past few years. She’s extremely passionate about the charity and never seems to stop raising funds.

She is kind and caring, laid back and level-headed. She understands the importance of not pressuring people into getting involved with fundraising, but equally makes it very easy for people to chip in as and when they feel they can. She’s excellent at making new members feel welcomed into the group.

Gaynor is innovative in her fundraising. She’s always thinking of new ideas to raise money. She works hard to make sure groups, like the craft group, have funds to make their crafts and raise even more money. She gives her time endlessly and is always there if anyone needs help or advice.

Respect: Gill James

Gill joined the Pontypridd Sing with Us choir to sing, but it also sparked her desire to do something to help families affected by cancer, just like her own.

Gill’s the perfect example of a volunteer. She’s always prepared to accept a challenge. She’s climbed mountains, abseiled buildings, swum miles, as well as raising money through her talents as an artist. She’s always willing to help with a bucket collection, and even volunteered to adjudicate at the 24 Hour Zumbathon. She most recently took part in the Zip Wire Challenge. She truly is a wonder-woman.

Gill is always supportive and respectful towards her fellow choristers. She gives a heartfelt hug to those who need one, and always takes the time to chat with people going through a difficult time.

Gill is always full of life. She’ll walk into rehearsal with loads of energy, announcing the latest fundraising drive. Gill’s relentless commitment to Tenovus Cancer Care is inspiring.

Young: Manisha Dass

Manisha is a Tenovus Cancer Care and KESS2-funded PhD student. She’s only part way through her PhD but has already gone above and beyond expectations.

She’s always willing to help and comes up with unique ideas, going out of her comfort zone to help the charity and those affected by cancer.

Manisha has hosted a lab tour, volunteered at Coleg Gwent, in her local shop, and at various events. She took part in World Cancer Day on social media, and helps to tackle prostate cancer via her research.

Manisha has also created content for the charity’s Youtube channel, creating videos that deal sensitively with very important and emotive topics.

Manisha’s intelligence and enthusiasm is seemingly inexhaustible. Without her, and people like her, the charity wouldn’t be able to share the scientific research it funds in this creative way, and to so many people.

Group: ACTivate Your Life Course Presenters

ACTivate Your Life – Affected By Cancer is a support service run by volunteer course presenters and one member of Tenovus Cancer Care staff.

The task of ensuring people affected by cancer benefit from ACTivate Your Life lies entirely with this fantastic team of volunteers. Over the last year they have run 12 sessions and seen around 100 people.

As well as delivering the service, the team also promote it in new areas; the charity wouldn’t have the resource to do this without them.

These volunteers span the country and are so supportive of each other. The relationships they build and the extra work they put in makes each course a full experience for participants.

They get involved in making tweaks and they will be integral in ensuring the sustainable growth and development of the service. Put simply, this course wouldn’t be possible without its volunteers.