A massive Thank You to everyone who came to our Volunteer Awards evening last week.

The Council Chamber was packed with volunteers from all over the Borough who had been nominated by their organisations for outstanding contributions to volunteering or for their work as a young volunteer.

It was truly humbling to be in the presence of so many amazing volunteers, to hear more about your fantastic work, and the difference you make to organisations across the Borough. We were delighted to recognise your achievements.

Thank you all for your tireless, often unseen, efforts to make the world a better place!

Awards to volunteers

Everyone was warmly welcomed to the Volunteer Awards Evening by the Mayor of West Lancashire, Councillor Julian Finch, and by Paul White, West Lancs CVS trustee.

Lots of West Lancs orgnisations had answered our call to nominate volunteers in two categories and the following awards were made during the event:

1. Outstanding Contribution to Volunteering:

In recognition of their dedication and invaluable contribution to volunteering

  •  Gwen Veevers: West Lancashire Footpath Group
  • Pam Richardson: Ormskirk & District Family History Society
  • Jane Andrews, Andy Brookfield, Malcolm Carrington, Michael Schofield: West Lancs CVS – Oximeter delivery service
  • Frank Oakes, Lee Holmes: North West Ambulance Service
  • Sara McGonigal, Dave Beeston: Skelmersdale Community Enterprise CIC
  • Lisa Ferguson, Helen Ashley: The Sewing Rooms
  • Beth Hill: Carousel Music & Movement CIC
  • Kirsten Sharrock, Pamela Thomas: Hesketh Bank & Tarleton Helpers
  • Gary Ferguson, Karl Hughes, Miriam Jane Eaton: Skem Menaces
  • Adam White: Bickerstock
  • Mark Schofield, Edward Lea-Whelan: Birchwood
  • Elaine Wells, Andrea Doyle, Lisa Stubbs: Hope Street
  • Don Brookes, Pete Meadows, Mike Flaherty: Friends of Tawd Valley
  • Clare Parry, Kevin O’Sullivan, Jayne Price: 1439 (Skelmersdale) Royal Air Force Air Cadets
  • Andrew Senior, David Hill, Ruth Johnston, John Lechmere: Ormskirk & District Scouts
  • Claire Cooper: Tawd Valley Parkrun
  • Lydia Alker: BAWL

2. Young Volunteer Award:

In recognition of the contribution made by a young person (14-21 years old) – to a particular event or number of hours/years of volunteering.

  • Benn Ellis: Ormskirk Clocktower Rotary
  • Evie Dawson: Skelmersdale Library
  • Cornelius Jones: Friends of Tawd Valley
  • Nathan Ralph: 1439 (Skelmersdale) Royal Air Force Air Cadets
  • Will Yates: Hope Street

Volunteers vital to local organisations

A highlight of the evening was hearing from several orgnisations about what volunteers meant to them. It was amazing to be reminded how much valuable work goes on and how much volunteers contribute to organisations across West Lancs. Here’s what some of them had to say:

Caroline, Carousel Music & Movement CIC:  “We are a small organisation and couldn’t function without volunteers. They are enthusiastic, 100% committed and I don’t know what I would do without their hard work to brighten people’s lives. Thanks too to West Lancs CVS who have been amazing – so, so supportive.”

Graham Dowling, Tawd Valley Park Run:  Graham outlined the history and activities of Tawd Park Run which celebrates it’s 5th anniversary this month. ‘It’s a free community event every week which is positive, welcoming and inclusive. Park Run volunteers are what makes Park Run happen – they do everything’.

Greg Ralph, 1439 (Skelmersdale) Royal Air Force Air Cadets:  Greg told us about the exciting opportunities for personal development offered by the 1439 (Skelmersdale) Royal Air Force Air Cadets including confidence building and physical and mental wellbeing. Air Cadets are also one of the largest provider of Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme nationally. He paid tribute to the vital work of staff volunteers in delivering their work.

Paula Gamester, The Sewing Rooms:  “I’m blown away by the work of volunteers in our Borough. Volunteers also play a vital role in our organisation. They come from diverse backgrounds and all have unique reasons for volunteering. 50% of our current staff have come to us as volunteers and the whole team works to deliver our triple bottom line: People, Planet, Profit.”

Shelia Byrne, Hope Street:  “We provide a safe space in the heart of Ormskirk for mental health and wellbeing. Our community involvement is second to none and our volunteers always go the extra mile. They’ve been an absolute godsend”

Oximeter volunteers, West Lancs CVS:  Local volunteers stepped up to provide a Medicines Delivery Service during the pandemic, recruited and co-ordinated by West Lancs CVS. The team then pivoted to provide the Oximetry @Home service, and carried out the role with dedication until 2023, delivering over 400 oximeters to local patients.