"Humbling and emotional" event is volunteer sector's very own Oscars

Volunteer Centre Dorset will be holding its Voluntary Sector Awards Evening on Thursday, October 26, at the Dorford Centre in Dorchester.

The event will recognise the fantastic contributions of Dorset’s volunteers over the last year and the positive impact they have had on local communities.

Award categories include Young Volunteer of the Year (Under 25), Volunteer of the Year, Group of the Year, and the Community Award for Volunteering, which is aimed at public, private and statutory groups whose employees take part in volunteering.

Deputy manager of Volunteer Centre Dorset Craig Womble said: “Volunteers are generally a modest lot who don’t usually want to make a song and dance about what they do, so we would like to do it for them. Dorset’s own volunteers do a tremendous job across many sectors and this is the opportunity for the county to say, ‘thank you, we appreciate you.’”

He added that the evening will showcase the diverse range of volunteer work people take part in and will allow volunteers to see that they are not alone in the good work that they do.

There will be live music, food and non-alcoholic drinks and a range of special guests at the free event, which will be supported by various organisations.

Mr Womble added that the centre was still looking for nominations.

He said: “Once again we are still seeking nominations in several categories and are especially keen for organisations to nominate their younger volunteers, and also businesses to recognise and nominate their own volunteers if they take part in ‘employee volunteering’.”

He added: “The humbling and emotional night is our very own Oscars. Therefore if anyone is interested in supporting the evening financially or in kind as sponsors or supporters, please get in touch.” 

To find out more, contact the Volunteer Centre Dorset on 01305 269214 or email Awards@volunteeringdorset.org.uk

The closing date for nominations is Wednesday, 20 September.