Volunteer Awards 2022: nominations now open

18 July 2022

HEY Smile Foundation and partners will host an awards ceremony to honour volunteers from around the region. The event will take place on Thursday 6th October at the Bonus Arena in Hull.

The awards recognise the work of volunteers across Hull, the East Riding, North and North East Lincolnshire and is being delivered in partnership with Nisa Retail’s charity Making a Difference Locally (MADL), East Riding of Yorkshire Council and Hull CVS.

Given the increase in volunteering over recent years, the panel is expecting to receive a host of inspiring and very worthy nominations.

There will be a total of 11 award categories open to nominations including ones for young volunteers, old volunteers, environmental champions, and volunteer teams.

An ‘outstanding volunteer award’ will be presented at the occasion given the incredible nominations received over previous years, ‘special recognition awards’ can also be expected.

The event is now in its fourth year, but this is only the second time Smile has been able to hold an in-person ceremony.

Ann Newlove, HEY Smile Foundation’s Head of Business and Communications, said: “We are really excited to be able to host this event. Volunteers do so much to improve life in the Humber region and it is easy for their work to go unnoticed. It is important to celebrate volunteers and make sure they know their work is needed and valued. We are grateful to Smile’s friends in the community who support the event, by sponsoring categories and the event itself.

Now, all we need is for people to think about the volunteers who they know, who have made a difference to lives and communities, and take the time to nominate them.

The Volunteer Awards 2021 saw more than 110 nominations received, with 47 people being shortlisted.

All shortlisted entrants are invited to the ceremony, where afternoon tea is served.

The categories open for nominations are: