04 Jul 2025
Hamelin held its annual volunteer celebration event this week to recognise those who give their time to help others in our community.
Held at Little Channels in Chelmsford, the event brought together around 30 volunteers from Hamelin’s services across Essex.
The day was an opportunity to say thank you, reflect on the impact of volunteering and connect with others.
Guests enjoyed a three-course lunch, lively conversation and a values-based workshop exploring what it means to be part of the Hamelin community. The session focused on the charity’s core values - We are community, We enhance lives and We think differently, with volunteers sharing personal experiences and ideas on how these values come to life in their roles. A visual facilitator captured the discussions through live illustration, creating a colourful and engaging snapshot of the day.
A highlight of the afternoon was the volunteer awards ceremony, where seven volunteers were recognised for going above and beyond. Each award was linked to one of Hamelin’s values and celebrated individuals who consistently embody those principles in their volunteering. The winners, nominated by the people Hamelin supports, were presented with certificates, commemorative plaques and a hotel break kindly donated by charity partner Room to Reward.
Julie Atkinson, Volunteer Manager, said the event was the perfect way to celebrate those who give so much to others.
She said: “It’s incredibly important that we recognise the dedication and compassion of our volunteers and show them just how much they are valued. It was a truly uplifting day, filled with moving stories, heartfelt moments and inspiring ideas.
“One of the highlights of my role is presenting the volunteer awards. It’s a genuine privilege to honour the achievements of such remarkable people and to acknowledge the real difference they make in people’s lives every single day.
“At the same time, it’s also one of the hardest tasks, because selecting winners from so many heartfelt and deserving nominations is never easy. To us, every single volunteer is a winner. We simply couldn’t do what we do without their generosity, kindness and unwavering support.”
Stories from our award winners will be shared across Hamelin’s social media and website soon, so watch this space.