Active Devon's Volunteer Awards Return For A Third Year

It’s Volunteers’ Week and the dedication of volunteers across Devon who help others to be physically active for their health and wellbeing is amazing. In celebration of their huge commitment and achievements, Active Devon announce today they are bringing back their Volunteer Awards for the third year in a row.

Launching today (3 June 2024) the awards are to recognise unpaid volunteers across Devon, who support people in their community to be more physically active. Active Devon is encouraging award nominations for anyone who volunteers their time to help other to move more. Teams or individuals can be nominated and there are two award categories for those very special young volunteers, with a 14-17 years and a 18-25 years award category.

For 2024, there are seven award categories

The Outstanding Young Volunteer of the Year Category (14-17 years)
The Outstanding Young Volunteer of the Year Category (18-25 years)
The Volunteering Team of the Year Category
North Devon District and Torridge Category
East Devon District, Mid Devon District and Exeter Category
West Devon District and Plymouth Category
South Hams District, Teignbridge and Torbay Category

One final award will be judged from all the entries received -

The Outstanding Contribution to Inclusion Category

The awards are to celebrate and recognise all of those people in Devon who, through their commitment to volunteering, provide much needed opportunities for people to get active. This includes the amazing volunteer leaders and coaches and those who give their time ‘behind the scenes’ to help our community groups, clubs and organisations keep going and able to offer safe and positive experiences for participants.

Tamsin Phelvin from Active Devon said: “We are absolutely delighted to bring back our Volunteer Awards for 2024. Building on the huge success of previous years, we are hoping for even more nominations this year, showcasing the hard work of all those deserved volunteers across Devon."

The nominations are open now and will close at 5pm on Sunday 8 September 2024. Each person or team who is nominated will receive a certificate and a shortlist of nominations will be made. A panel of judges who champion physical activity and volunteering will select the winners for each category. Awardees will receive an exclusive award and the chance to celebrate their win with their team or club in November.

One of the winners from 2023, David Vinall who volunteers at the Atlantic Racquet Centre in Bideford said last year of his win: “I’m overwhelmed by receiving the award. I do feel that it is for the whole team because we are a big team here at Atlantic Racquet Centre and a lot of people have worked really hard over a good many years to achieve what we have got here but I am blown away that people have bothered to nominate me for this award.”

Tamsin adds: “Please share within your community and get nominating to express your thanks and recognition of those volunteers you know who give their time to help others get active. Nominating is quick and easy and we have some top tips on our website to help you explain the contribution of your nominee and the difference they are making through their volunteering. We can’t wait to start reading about all the amazing stories of volunteering in physical activity across our county and good luck to everyone!”

To find out more information about the awards and to nominate, please click here https://activedevon.org/volunteer-awards/

The winners from 2023 were -

The Outstanding Young Volunteer of the Year Category - Cara Baer, Plymouth Mayflower Specials
The Volunteering Team of the Year Category - The Wave Project Devon Team
The Outstanding Contribution to Inclusion Category - David Vinall, Atlantic Racquet Centre, Bideford
North Devon District and Torridge Category - Daniel Turton, Ilfracombe Rugby Club
East Devon District, Mid Devon District and Exeter Category - Damian Burton, Free Spirit Taekwondo, Seaton
West Devon District and Plymouth Category - Chris Gilchrist, Rhythm City Dance Studio, Plymouth
South Hams District, Teignbridge and Torbay Category - Louise Trewern, Winner Street Walkers/Walking Works Wonders, Paignton and Newton Abbot

For all those across Devon who are keen to join a physical activity provider network and receive targeted offers and funding/ training support, take a look at https://activedevon.org/physical-activity-providers-hub/ and sign up to the newsletter.