Age UK BRWF's 2023 Volunteer of the Year

Age UK BRWF’s Volunteer of the Year Award was launched in 2020 in memory of former Trustee Sue Davidson. This year, 25 people were nominated for the award from across the charity celebrating the fantastic contribution that volunteers make to Age UK BRWF!

After much difficult deliberation (!), our Review Panel (which included members of Sue Davidson’s family) made the unanimous decision to present the 2023 Age UK BRWF Volunteer of the Year Award to Chris Hall for all that she does running the Tulip Tree Friendship Group!

The group is the success that it is because of Chris’ hard work, dedication and commitment, along with that of the Friendship Group volunteers.  Week-in-week-out, Chris manages to organise different activities (including some amazing craft ideas) for the members, as well as arranging special events (including a special afternoon tea to mark the King’s Coronation) and trips out for a carvery!

When asked about her experience of running the group Chris said ‘I enjoy it…as the name of the group says, it is all about friendship…we have people coming in on their own not wanting to admit that they are lonely, but they start to get to know you and the rest of the members and friendships form…when I hear that members are going out together for coffee outside of the group, then that is absolutely brilliant!’

Chris was surprised with her award by Age UK BRWF’s CEO Amanda Allen and Chair of the Board of Trustees, Roger Custance, at a recent Friendship Group Meeting, much to the delight of the members who all said how much they appreciate all that Chris does! In accepting her award Chris paid tribute to her fellow Friendship Group volunteers Angie, Mal, Pam, Sarah and Trish saying that she ‘could not do it without them’.

When asked what she gets out of volunteering for the charity Chris said ‘It is seeing the difference that you can make to people…we have people join the group seemingly very withdrawn, but over the weeks you watch them change and start to come-out-of-themselves and suddenly they will do something that will surprise you and you think where did that come from – you can’t put a price on that!’