WOW! On 30th October we held our annual Monmouthshire Volunteer Awards in partnership with Monmouthshire Housing Association. Here is everything you need to know about the evening...
The WONDERFUL Rock Choir opened the ceremony with their renditions of some great hits... 'Sweet Child Of Mine' was our personal favourite! Every member of the audience loved their performance and we are so thankful to Karl and the team for supporting the ceremony and creating such a joyful atmosphere.
"What a great evening, thanks so much for inviting us. My choir members loved it!" - Karl Montgomery-Williams
As the Choir left the stage to a roar of applause from the crowd, we invited MHA's CEO, Johnathan Keegan and GAVO's Chair, Edward Watts MBE DL, to share their appreciation for all the volunteers in the county and wish the guests a joyous evening!
We are so proud to have our speakers open the ceremony together, demonstrating the strong partnership between our organisations.
COMMUNITY CHAMPION!
Then, once the ceremony was off to a flying start, we welcomed our first special guest, Clayton Charles to the stage to present the Community Champion Award, celebrating the person who is making a real difference in their community.
Our Highly Commended volunteer was Bryn Probert!
Bryn Probert really fits the bill for this category for his outstanding contribution to the local community. He has been a driving force behind the success of the Monmouthshire Veterans’ Support Hub and stepped up into a leading role soon after the Hub began in March 2022. The Monmouthshire Veterans’ Support Hub is a Veteran run group for the benefit of Veterans and their families. It is supported by a multi-agency approach with numerous organisations. The Veterans’ Hub provides individuals from the Armed Forces Community with the space and the mechanism to access relevant and timely support when needed. It provides peer support structures to encourage self-reliance, esteem building and self-empowerment. The need for appropriate and timely advice and guidance is something we see across the county and Bryn is instrumental in helping to deliver it.
Bryn opens the building for meetings, prepares refreshments, welcomes newcomers and stays to clean and close the building. When the group outgrew the library, he secured the use of St John Ambulance Hall in Abergavenny. He has given up his own time to develop the hall, kitchen, and outdoor spaces to create a warm, welcoming environment for the Armed Forces Community. Bryn has used his connections with St John Ambulance to source relevant training such as defibrillator and First Aid.
As a result of Bryn’s efforts the Hall has also gained a 5-star food hygiene rating from Environmental Health. Future plans include outreach activities for the Veterans’ Hub, supporting them to attend community events such as the Abergavenny Steam Rally and Usk Show raising awareness of the support available through the Hub. Bryn's dedication and selflessness have made a significant impact on the community and he is truly deserving of this award.
Our JOINT winners were....Yevheniia Shepherd & Richard Pond!
Yevhenniia Sheppard
Yevhenniia Sheppard also known as Zhenya, is an MHA tenant. Zhenya is a very active community member and is part of the Ukrainian community in Abergavenny. She is totally committed to her community involvement and through her personality & perseverance makes a real difference not just to the Ukrainian community but to that of Abergavenny as a whole.
Zhenya is always available for the Ukrainian community and is often seen as an oracle in the help and support that she provides. Zhenya is well established here in the UK and is often the first of contact for many displaced people and families when they first arrive in Wales. She has retired from working at Abergavenny Community Centre but continues to welcome Ukrainians to the weekly coffee morning which she established and facilitates. She identified a need for the Ukrainian community to have a relaxed and welcoming space particularly at the start of the conflict which saw many Ukrainians entering Wales under Homes for Ukraine. She was there before any statutory services had even been developed. This coffee morning was also used by MCC staff as a drop in facility and Zhenya made everyone feel very welcome.
Zhenya is multilingual and often gives free English lessons at the community centre. She is an avid fund raiser having organised market stalls, publicity and music events. She is a member of the rotary club in Abergavenny, and participates in the community canteen. Zhenya also regularly translates information helping people feel included in social situations. Due to Zhenya being well known and very highly thought of in Abergavenny, she has been able to identify host placements for other Ukrainians who wish to leave the conflict.
Her nominator met Zhenya through their work as a Well-Being Links Co-Ordinator. She regularly disseminates information through telegram to a large number of guests in Monmouthshire and has acted as a peer mentor for other Ukrainians. When Zhenya puts her mind to something she achieves her goals. Zhenya is able to move mountains for the community. She has learnt how to build relationships and work with councils & town councils. Despite her busy schedule she has agreed to be a point of contact for a Ukrainian lady who lives in Monmouth who wants to run a Ukrainian festival.
Richard Pond
Rich is an outstanding youth football team coach at Abergavenny Town FC. He has been involved in coaching for over five years and goes over and beyond to support all the young people who attend on a weekly basis. Not only is Rich fantastic with all the players he is amazing with all their parents and carers. This involves ongoing communication with everyone, arranging matches and coordinating transport to away games. This is no small task and takes up hours upon hours of his already busy week. This on top of a busy full-time job too. Rich is committed to ensuring that all the young people are supported to maximise their own potential, work well as a team and are welcoming and inclusive to any new players which makes a huge difference. Rich is a wonderful, kind, compassionate and generous individual who continues to make a huge difference to all the young people at the club.
Rich is a true community champion who makes a demonstrable difference to many peoples, lives. He commits a considerable amount of time on a weekly basis and without him the under 16s team at Abergavenny FC wouldn't exist. Rich is also now setting up a new under 18s team which ensures that all the players have a new team to join. On the field the team have excelled and actually won the league this season.
Unfortunately, Richard was unable to attend the awards evening but we will make sure he receives his award and certificate as soon as possible!
BEST GROUP!
This award was dedicated to the group or initiative that has shown great commitment in their local community and was presented by Christopher Vaz, the pastor of our wonderful venue, The Gateway Church.
Our Highly Commended group were...Chepstow Community Fridge!
The Chepstow Community Fridge volunteers collect food waste from the various outlets and local supermarkets in the Chepstow area. The food collected is distributed to the community space in the old Rainbow Cafe. Having only been open two years, this group of committed volunteers have collected and distributed an amazing 43,345 Kilos of waste food.
Their actions have impacted the community by supporting numerous people and community groups through the cost-of-living crisis. Volunteers have also gone above and beyond to provide food for some of the most vulnerable people in Chepstow and are a beacon of hope.
The project has inspired the local community to donate their fresh, homegrown fruit and vegetables from their local gardens. The group of volunteers have overcome many barriers and have continued to deliver food to the community and save what otherwise would have gone to landfill. Volunteers have gone the extra mile by renovating the group’s building, making it functional and welcoming and they deserve to be congratulated today.
The lovely volunteers truly SPARKLED throughout the evening.
Our winning group was...*drum roll*... Usk Food Kitchen!
Usk Food Kitchen volunteers are a dedicated group of people who are committed to providing a friendly and helpful service to people in Usk who need support. Hot, freshly cooked meals are delivered every Tuesday and Thursday and a social afternoon is held on Tuesdays. The hot Food Kitchen is run out of St. David Lewis & St Francis Xavier Church in Usk. Volunteers at the Food Kitchen have cooked and delivered more than 5,000 hot meals, free of charge, since 2020. The Food Kitchen started early in the pandemic to help local people effected by unemployment, illness, disability and/or homelessness. Requests for meals come from a variety of sources such as individuals in crisis or from relatives living away. Neighbours, friends and loved ones also request support for those who find cooking for themselves difficult.
Each individual volunteer is truly inspirational in their dedication to the vital service they provide. It demonstrates that there is a core group of people in Usk who wish to give their time to help others.
INSPIRATIONAL YOUNG PERSON!
This award is to commend young people under the age of 25 who are positively contributing to their local community. An exceptional young person and previous award winner for this category, Dylan Allman, kindly presented this award to our nominees.
Our Highly Commended Volunteer was iConnect's Isaac Langran!
Isaac's dedication and commitment to his role at iConnect is truly inspirational. Despite facing his own challenges, he has shown incredible resilience to build his confidence and gain voluntary experience. It is evident that he has excelled in his role and has made a positive impact on those around him.
He was first referred to iConnect to help build his confidence and give him the opportunity to gain some experience and learn new skills. Isaac himself has acknowledged that as a person with Autism, self-assurance has always been a challenge, hindering social interactions and independent decision-making. However, through his volunteer work, Isaac has seen a significant improvement in his confidence and ability to assist Monmouthshire residents in mastering technology in the Abergavenny area.
With the support of iConnect, Isaac has attended the House of Commons in Westminster with the Welsh Affairs Committee and was invited by the Princes Trust to be interviewed by a panel on the impact of population change in Wales. Isaac is an asset to iConnect and his community and the team look forward to seeing him continue to grow in the future. He truly is an inspirational young person.
This is not the only time Isaac featured in the ceremony...keep reading for a second appearance from this star volunteer!
Our WINNING Inspirational Young Person was Gabrijela Klaric-Grubb!
Gabrijela Klaric-Grubb or Gabs as she is commonly known, spent the first seven and half years of her life in a Croatian orphanage before being adopted and relocating to Wales. Gabs had a challenging start to her life but is now and inspirational ambassador for The Magic Cottage Charity in Abergavenny. 24-year-old Gabs lives in supported accommodation in Abergavenny. She volunteers at the charity five days a week and is the inspiration behind the charity objectives, which is to support children and young people living in Monmouthshire with additional needs or a life limiting illness.
For the past four years, Gabs has braved the cold in December to busk in the street raising hundreds of pounds for the charity. Gabs works on the till in the shop serving customers and has overcome so many hurdles to be able to do this. Gabs is selfless, beautiful inside and out and she is a true inspiration. She volunteers so that the charity can support others.
Gabs is a true inspiration to so many and champions the charity in the community. She gives her time freely so that young people can access activities including free breaks away that the charity offers. She has overcome personal barriers of being partially sighted and autistic with global developmental delay but that never stops her helping other people in need.
Congratulations Gabs, you are a true gem!
TRUSTEE & DIRECTOR
The Trustee and Director Award recognises the often unseen work of trustees, directors and committee members and was presented by TogetherWORKS' very own, Zoë Perry!
Highly Commended Volunteer, Laurence Wilson!
The Gateway Church Abergavenny is highly recognised for the incredible work it does providing a wide range of services within their community. They have a great team of volunteers that work, day in and day out, serving through various capacities. But behind the scenes, they need a team that ensures everything is done correctly, following legal processes and compliance. This ensures everyone involved is safe with necessary protocol being followed, so that the integrity of the work is preserved.
Gateway has a great team of trustees, overseen by the Chair, Lawrence Wilson. For several years Lawrence has been tirelessly working behind the scenes, over and above the call of duty, to keep this engine moving. He doesn't seek any recognition or applause, and his nominator, Christopher Vaz, believes he deserves to be acknowledged for his incredible work which plays a big part in what the Gateway Church does for its community.
The Gateway are lucky to have such a dedicated Chair on their board.
Our WINNER is the unstoppable Susan Nicholson!
Susan as chairperson of Chepstow Mencap has led the organisation to be the successful Society it is. Susan was instrumental in securing and upgrading the Board School in the centre of Chepstow, a building of very high standard specifically aimed at providing disabled people with excellent and modern facilities. Chepstow Mencap is a nonprofit charity, providing services in Chepstow and the surrounding areas to adults with a learning disability.
Susan retired from work early and has dedicated a significant amount of time to volunteering and leading Mencap’s board of trustees. She has focused on the required legal framework and financial aspects of the organisation, successfully leading the management team whilst operating at the highest professional standards.
Susan’s dedication and commitment to Chepstow Mencap has made a massive difference, resulting in raising the profile and status of the charity. Susan has continued to give her time as role of chairperson despite some recent health challenges enabling the charity to continue to work in a flexible and creative way to provide positive experiences for people and their families.
ENVIRONMENTAL AWARD
This award was dedicated to those who go the extra mile to save the planet and was presented by Ben North from Severn Wye!
Our Highly Commended environmental Champion was the wonderful Dereck Clements!
Dereck’s litter picking is legendary, he goes out every day and collects rubbish all around Caldicot in all weathers. Dereck is passionate about his community and the environment that he lives in and just wants the area to be as clean as possible without the blight of rubbish. Setting an example to us all Dereck’s selfless work to keep Caldicot clean deserves recognition. Can a person make a difference if they are on their own? You betcha Dereck can. Well done from an appreciative community.
Dereck was unable to come along to the ceremony but we will do our best to get his certificate to him!
Without further ado... our winner was... Jennifer Collett!
Jen has demonstrated unwavering dedication to enhancing the community through her tireless efforts with the TogetherWORKS Community Garden Project. She has committed countless hours, braving all weather, weekends and evenings to ensure the garden thrives. Jen's genuine love for gardening and her strong desire to foster positive change within the community is truly inspiring. Her passion motivates others to get involved and she unofficially leads the gardening group by generously sharing her knowledge. Jen's passion for inclusivity, accessibility and diversity is demonstrated in her actions as she welcomes people from all backgrounds, ages, and abilities to the TogetherWORKS garden. She has created a space that actively promotes inclusivity and provides a safe and welcoming environment for everyone.
Jen ensures that the group practices sustainable gardening, emphasising soil health, water conservation, and biodiversity. She encourages and educates the team to make informed, environmentally friendly decisions.
The garden has become a hub for community activities, bringing neighbors together and strengthening community bonds. The availability of free, fresh produce has benefited many, particularly those who may struggle to afford healthy food options.
Jen's actions have not only enhanced her own life but have also had a ripple effect, positively impacting individuals, the community and the environment. Her unwavering dedication, inclusive mindset, and forward-thinking vision makes her an exemplary volunteer.
TogetherWORKS are a lucky bunch to have you Jen.
HIGH SHERIFF AWARD
We briefly departed from the MVA categories for an award that was personally selected by Her Honour Helen Mifflin, DL, The High Sheriff of Gwent. We promised you would see Isaac Langran again, and here he is! The High Sheriff was moved by Isaac's achievements and welcomed him to the stage to receive this prestigious award.
We'd like to thank all of our special guests who presented awards in the first half. However, there is one person we have yet to mention... our incredible first compere, GAVO's own Community Spaces Outreach Officer, Jo Webb! We loved the spin Jo put on our script and the hilarious one liners she dropped in. The hedgehog joke was a particular hit (if you know, you know). Jo was so professional and confident and we knew the ceremony was in excellent hands.
We then had a break, where guests enjoyed a hot meal prepared by the fantastic Sugar Loaf Catering and were entertained by the mysterious magician, Stuart Watkins!
With full bellies and blown minds, it was time to kick off the second half of the evening!
MOST INSPIRATIONAL JOURNEY
Robert Carey from Monmouthshire Housing Association was one of the key organisers of the MVAs and presented this award for the person whose journey to where they are now, is truly inspirational to others.
Our Highly Commended volunteer is Morgan Collins!
Morgan started volunteering with Monlife Youth Service in early 2023 as part of her Welsh Baccalaureate. She helps with the Year 6 transition Youth Club which is designed for year 6s to meet prior to attending secondary school. From the first session it was evident to see her passion for working with young people. When she first started, she volunteered with her friends and mostly allowed young people to approach her until she became more comfortable with them. Since then, Morgan has continued to assist the sessions despite completing her Welsh Baccalaureate hours.
This demonstrated her dedication and motivation to volunteering with Monlife Youth Service. As the sessions went on Morgan has become more confident and even leads her own activities with help from staff. Morgan is brilliant at identifying young people that need extra support and always tries her best to include them within the activities. This shows she uses her initiative and values the opinions of those she supports. Morgan is hoping to use the experience she has gained to study primary school teaching at university and plans to continue volunteering throughout her last year of high school next year.
Morgan has been volunteering with MonLife since she was 16 and has grown immensely and set a fantastic example to the young people attending the youth club. Morgan also supports new volunteers at the youth centre resulting in their confidence growing every week. Morgan is also now involved in planning activities and trips for young people at the youth centre. This has consisted of checking out venues, checking with bus companies, and writing letters for young people's parents. This is remarkable for a 17-year-old and shows her maturity and her dedication to the young people of Abergavenny.
Morgan was on holiday so could not be there in person but we'll make sure she gets her certificate when she is home!
Our WINNER of the Most Inspirational Journey is Adam Lewellyn!
Adam is a volunteer from Disability Can Do and possesses excellent knowledge and skills in building computers and using equipment and programs. With a desire to build his confidence and make new friends, Adam sought out a volunteering role with the digital inclusion programme, iConnect. From day one of Adam’s volunteering journey, he has grown in confidence by overcoming personal barriers and makes a huge contribution to the project during events and sessions.
Adam is still growing within iConnect and has committed to attending further projects and events. He works with like-minded volunteers, who assist the residents of Monmouthshire by sharing their knowledge and skills. The group has developed a great friendship and continue to meet socially outside of iConnect.
If volunteering for one organisation wasn’t enough, he also supports the Repair Café by repairing electrical devices.
Adam is an inspiration to those on the autistic spectrum, his journey from being quite reclusive and very shy has been remarkable. He is now able to offer advice on a variety of technical issues, laptops, mobile phones which makes a big difference to the community. Adam has gone out of his way to volunteer his time to offer support and has overcome social and personal barriers to gain his newfound confidence and self-esteem. His journey has been truly inspirational and he should be commended for his efforts.
The support Adam received from his family and friends when he accepted his award on stage was heartwarming to see.
HEALTH AND WELLBEING
This award was presented by a lady who needed no introduction, GAVO's Health, Social Care & Wellbeing Partnerships Officer, Miranda Thomason! The category acknowledges those who help others with their physical and/or mental health.
Our Highly Commended volunteer was Jane Vaughan!
Jane is a volunteer who wear many hats in TogetherWORKS Caldicot. As a qualified cook, Jane stepped in to help the Games and Grub program when staff couldn't manage alone. She now plans, shops, cooks, and cleans for the sessions, making her legendary Mac and Cheese and Chicken Curry and ensuring the kitchen meets TogetherWORKS’ high hygiene standards. Jane is incredibly humble and unaware of her remarkable skills. Her kindness extends beyond cooking as she often boxes up leftovers for families to take home, ensuring nothing goes to waste and helping with additional meals.
Jane's involvement in launching a Family Cook-along Club further demonstrates her commitment to teaching vulnerable families to cook. Her unwavering dedication, kindness, and expertise have made an enormous impact.
Recognising the potential for food waste, Jane was instrumental in helping TogetherWORKS secure a grant from MHA for The Corner Freezer Project and prepares special frozen meals for elderly visitors. She has worked tirelessly to upgrade our kitchen, advising on necessary paperwork, equipment, and changes to meet Environmental Health standards.
Additionally, she volunteers at the Blokes’ Breakfast, a cherished group that has grown significantly thanks to her culinary skills and warm hospitality. This group is a vital lifeline for many bereaved and lonely members of our community.
Jane's unwavering dedication, kindness, and expertise have had an enormous impact on Caldicot’s community.
Jane was not able to make it to awards ceremony. However Liz Kayll, a member of staff at TogetherWORKS has been trusted to give Jane her certificate. We very much hope that Jane knows just how special she is to the TogetherWORKS family.
This now leaves us with our winning volunteer...Social Circles Group!
Social Circles are a dementia-friendly social group, promoting independence and wellbeing, for older people in Monmouth and the surrounding area. Their focus is to develop the wellbeing of the guests through stimulating activities and social interaction. None of this would be possible without the commitment of the team of volunteers who attend every week. For many of the elderly and vulnerable people who attend, the group is their only opportunity to engage with other people in the community. Guests enjoy a cooked lunch and a chance to socialise and learn new skills, with dedicated volunteers who meet and greet, make tea, get involved in the activities and serve lunch. The needs of the guests are hugely varied, from those that need a lot of support in everything they do, to those who are largely independent. Everyone who attends knows that they will be welcomed with warmth and compassion and treated with care and respect. The volunteers vary in age from teenagers to those in their 80's and all work together as a wonderful team. There is always laughter, broad smiles and joy in the room when the sessions are running.
The Social Circles volunteers make an enormous impact not only on the guests that attend the group, but also their family and friends. The group offers valuable respite for carers and a chance to have a rest from their caring duties. Safe in the knowledge that their loved one is being cared for and is enjoying an engaging and enjoyable afternoon.
The guests that join the group have the opportunity to engage in exercise sessions such as bowling or even go out on a trishaw for a ride around Monmouth, which helps to ensure they stay physically active. Other activities such as quizzes, crafts and cooking opportunities mean that they keep mentally active, promoting continued independence. All of these activities are supported by volunteers who always go above and beyond their duties to ensure the guests have a good day and are safe and cared for. Whether its sitting quietly with someone, holding their hand to help them feel safe and reassured, or getting messy making Welsh cakes, the volunteers have the knowledge, expertise, compassion and skills to ensure all guests feel valued, appreciated and happy when they are at the group.
Congratulations to this very worthy winning group of volunteers from the Bridges Centre.
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO MHA
This award acknowledges the MHA tenant who has demonstrated commitment and dedication to helping others in their volunteering role and was presented by the wonderful Alisa Price.
Our Highly Commended volunteer was Mary Morgan!
From the moment Mary started engaging with Monmouthshire Housing Association (MHA) her personal qualities were plain to see. She was appointed as a Community Voice member and since joining has been a leading light in assessing how MHA’s objectives impact on the lives of tenants and leaseholders and always has this at the forefront of her mind when making important decisions. Mary is the eyes and ears for the customer voice and has represented MHA at various external events and training to benefit not only her own knowledge but also the wider community. Mary is passionate about giving something back and does this by ensuring tenants and leaseholders are well represented. whilst strongly supporting our remit to provide good quality, safe and secure accommodation for as many people as possible and to provide a range of support services to build strong communities.
Before joining Community Voice, Mary also assisted in reviewing the services we provided to leaseholders. She is a committed and valuable member of the Community Voice and played and active role in the development of this. Mary is also active in other Community groups and is a trustee of the Local Baptist Church and foodbank, serving as a member of the management team. During the pandemic, Mary also became a volunteer offering free tuition in GCSE and A Level Maths.
Her hard work, leadership, and commitment to helping others is widely acknowledged in the community.
Congratulations Mary, you are one of a kind!
So, we have our winner. The OUTSTANDING Alison Platt!
Alison’s selfless and tireless volunteering work keeps Cwtch Angels in Abergavenny going. So much of her behind the scenes work is not seen by the public however this is vital to keeping Cwtch Angels sustainable and able to support so many people in Abergavenny. Alison's is a community champion whose work includes organisational governance, funding applications, accounts and so much more. The organisation helps around 200 people on a weekly basis with approximately 80% of people supported being MHA Tenants. Alison’s humble nature means she will not recognise the outstanding contribution her partnership offers to Monmouthshire Housing Association but her impact is immeasurable. Her actions help many MHA tenants which enables MHA to deliver a comprehensive wrap around service which is about the people and not just bricks and mortar.
Alison joined forces with Annie Hartwright to combine their vital community resources including the Community Fridge, Baby and Clothes Bank and Recycled Furniture. Together, they also sign post people in most need to specialist services. Alison always goes above and beyond in everything she does. She originally started the Keep Abergavenny Warm initiative many years ago, in which she and her husband repurposed preloved clothes. She then became a valued community group member, which saw MHA tenants and local residents come together to help tackle debt, keeping warm in winter and recycling goods to those in need.
Alison also looks after a large group of volunteers who deliver food and household items ensuring that no community resource goes to waste. Alison's skills has resulted in securing many successful funding bids to keep the project going whilst continuing to develop the range of services available to support the community.
Alison has continued to make a huge contribution to the lives of a significant number of MHA tenants despite personal challenges over the last year and Cwtch Angels continues to go from strength to strength.
We're not quite sure what we would do without this lovely lady in our community!
BUSINESS AT THE HEART OF THE COMMUNITY
Our penultimate award for the MVAs was a new category which the GAVO and MHA team created to recognise an often overlooked contributor to the community. This new award celebrates the business that puts inclusivity at the heart of everything they do and was presented by Ros Hatherhall from Family Action!
Our Highly Commended business was Monmouthshire Conservatory Company!
Monmouthshire Conservatories run a monthly donation scheme called 'Community Piggy Bank' for local charitable organisations. Wyesham Christian Fellowship were very grateful to have received funding from the business to provide fresh fruit & veg for the month of May. As a business they have been very supportive and locally support not just to the Wyesham Christian Fellowship but are also sponsoring other charitable organisations. Rob & Li from Monmouthshire Conservatories put in a lot of time to ensure lots of local groups benefit from their support and funding.
Monmouthshire Conservatories reach out to local organisations and support them financially with monthly donations helping the organisations achieve their charitable purposes and aims. Monmouthshire Conservatories took the time to find out about the Food Club project and have offered to support them again when needed.
Our WINNING business was SCENTS & SENSES, owned by SIMONE JONES!
Simone Jones, offers so much in her little shop in Magor square, Sents & Senses, not only does she offer spiritual healing as a service, there is a chair in her shop for anyone to come in and take a seat and talk if they need to unload life’s woe's with a friendly ear to listen. Simone also listens to those in need and will raise monies for several chosen charities at her monthly Friday Psychic Bar held at Caerwent village hall, which recently raised £2,036 for St Davids Hospice.
Simone ALWAYS putting others first especially in times of crisis and grieving. Nothing ever stops her from putting others needs before hers, she soldiers on and is always available to support people even when her own life presents challenges. She does all this in addition to running her own business. Even during the Pandemic she continued to reach out and support people online via Facebook livestreams & zoom calls. This boosted people's morale and offered a listening ear. She truly deserves recognition after 11 years of giving to the surrounding areas of Caerwent, Magor & Chepstow and people come from miles to receive the love & compassion that Simone gives. Simone has a heart of gold, is always available to others and is most definitely a pillar of the community.
Unfortunately, Simone couldn't attend our ceremony but we'll get her award to her as soon as possible!
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR!
Our final award for the MVAs was presented by David Holtam from Mon Life! David was a valued panel member during this year's nomination process and highlighted how many incredible volunteers we have in Monmouthshire and how many are worthy of awards such as these.
Our Highly Commended volunteers were Lindsay Wright & Mark Lloyd!
Lindsay Wright
Lindsay continues to make an ongoing and significant impact upon the lives of so many people in Abergavenny. As a volunteer with Abergavenny Town of Sanctuary she has been actively supporting Abergavenny’s new arrivals who are primarily displaced people from Syria and Afghanistan. She works tirelessly to ensure they are fully supported by offering practical help and emotional support when required. This could involve sourcing donations of furniture and clothing for new arrivals or by taking them to GP, medical and job centre appointments. Her input continues to make a massive difference and she is one of the reasons that Abergavenny has become such a welcoming and inclusive community for people arriving from war torn backgrounds.
Anyone who meets Lindsay is struck by her energy, compassion and motivation to support others. She also has a genuine dedication to ensure that new arrivals to Abergavenny are fully supported and welcomed both with practical support and friendship. She will often volunteer well over 20 hours per week and it’s not uncommon to find Lindsay waiting with someone at the Grange hospital at A&E. Lindsay is a true inspiration to us all, an amazing person and Abergavenny is a much better town for having her here.
Unfortunately, Lindsay was unable to attend the ceremony. However, Ehab and his lovely daughter Remas accepted the award on Lindsay's behalf and promised to get it safely to her. They were very proud to represent someone who has helped them so much.
Mark Lloyd
For over 20 years Mark has volunteered and run the 1st Chepstow Boys Brigade. The group is held at the local Methodist Church and Mark runs 3 sessions every Wednesday evening with young children and teenagers. He arranges weekly activities that gives children a space to socialise and learn new skills. Mark is instrumental in organizing day trips and fundraising activities to keep the group running. Mark also puts in lots of time outside of Boys Brigade to arrange, plan and assure the well-being of the children who attend the annual Boys Brigade Weekend.
Mark volunteers his time to organise, fundraise and support leaders to keep Boys Brigade going in Chepstow. His actions have kept the group running which makes a big difference to the children to attend. It hasn't always been easy keeping Boys Brigade running due to lack of volunteers and money however mark organises regular fundraisers, so the children can enjoy the yearly trips and activities.
He goes above and beyond to keep this group running and the children and parents of 1st Chepstow Boys Brigade would love to see Mark get the recognition he deserves.
Unfortunately, Mark could not be with us either. However we will ensure he knows just how appreciated he is.
This leads us to our final winning volunteer of the 2024 MVAs...Jenny Powell! Not only was Jenny crowned Volunteer of the Year, her dedication was also recognised by His Majesty's Lord Lieutenant of Gwent Brigadier Robert Aitken CBE, who awarded her his special award AND two tickets to the Princess of Wales' Christmas Concert.
Jenny has been volunteering to provide support for individuals with mental health difficulties and or learning disabilities since the Pandemic. Initially, she set up ‘Find Yourself in Crafts’ before providing support for The Monday Club in Abergavenny which provided craft and wellbeing activities. She was a founding member of the Gathering Community Group and chair of its committee.
She works tirelessly to manage volunteers, write policies and liaise with other organisations. This enabled The Gathering to move into the Wellbeing centre which has allowed them to offer more activities to a larger group of people two days a week. She has been instrumental in securing funds for the group and leading on the Charitable Status application.
Jenny has been instrumental in the development of The Gathering and is very popular with the individuals and volunteers in the group who have been expressing their gratitude and appreciation for the great work she does. Jenny has given countless hours of her time to greet visitors, run sessions and ensure the centre is left in perfect condition for the following week. She also liaises with Monmouthshire County Council and GAVO staff to ensure smooth running of the facility.
Jenny has health challenges herself but this hasn’t stopped her giving a 100% in everything she does and remains invaluable to the group. Many of the current volunteers also attended Jenny’s ‘Find yourself in Crafts’ and they would love to see her efforts recognised as would all the committee members.
It is not hard to see why Jenny was selected for this special award. Congratulations!
We ended the evening by welcoming all volunteers onto the stage for a final photo and our fantastic compere for the second half, the wonderful vision in aquamarine herself, MHA's Rachel Knight treated us all to an opportunity to take part in THE TWIST!
Bethan Warrington and Chris Irving would like to thank everyone who was involved in supporting this year's Monmouthshire Volunteer Awards. It was a truly heartwarming event and we hope we made all of our volunteers feel like VIPs.
This event is made all the more special by attendance of our dignitaries, who we are grateful to for taking the time to attend the ceremony and celebrate alongside us. We personally thank:
His Majesty's Lord Lieutenant of Gwent Brigadier Robert Aitken CBE
Her Honour Helen Mifflin DL The High Sheriff of Gwent
Edward Watts MBE DL GAVO Chair
Assistant Chief Constable Nicholas McLain
Councillor Mary Ann Brocklesby Monmouthshire County Councillor for Lansdown Ward
Councillor Angela Sandles Monmouthshire County Councillor for Magor East & Undy Ward
Peter Farley GAVO Trustee & Chair of The Palmer Centre Chepstow
Mr Peter Carr - Executive Director of Allied Health Professions & Health Science
We will leave you with this lovely feedback from Councillor Angela Sandles:
"It was a lovely evening, well done. Pulling such an event together so successfully is a mammoth task! The Gateway Church was full of very happy people who felt valued for a few hours, events like this are so important to ensure all our volunteers and organisations can see evidence that they are recognised and appreciated for all they do for our residents."