The Volunteer Awards 2025 - Our winners!

This year PSS Wellbeing Centres have truly sparkled and shined; we have won not one, nor two, not even three or four but five incredible Volunteer Awards!

All our incredible volunteers are always so appreciated; they are the unsung heroes of our community – so here is our golden opportunity to sing about them.

First up is the Star of the Year Award. This award is dedicated to a volunteer who always goes above and beyond for our service. They make a huge difference to the lives of others and makes PSS a better place.

Our winner is… (drum roll please!)

Val

Wellbeing Practitioner Tracy Aston said: “Val is a finder of free things – she is great at that! This helps us enormously with budgets. She’s also great at solving problems, things we discuss she’d immediately start researching and then she’ll cost it for you.”

She added: “Having this person around you is just very inspiring and helpful. We’ve been working much closer with Making Days this year and it’s worked really well. We’ve been looking our site as a whole and Val has been looking at costings for other aspects of the whole site.

“Val is also great at a key part of the volunteering role which is welcoming people to the group. Obviously, people feel nervous when they first come to us, they are not sure what to expect, but Val is always there with a smile and a joke, or a conversation if they want it. She’s so very inclusive with people in groups.

“A big well done to Val, Star Volunteer of the Year!”

We have a lot of volunteers at PSS Wellbeing Centre’s whose efforts may not always be visible, but whose dedication keeps everything running smoothly. They are the quiet force making sure the PSS Wellbeing Centres thrive. The Behind the Scenes Hero Award is our way to give those working hard in the background their time to shine.

Our winner is…

Rob

Volunteer Peer Supporter Mark Feenan said: “I am nominating Rob because I can’t think of anyone more deserving of this award. Rob has become an important and valued member of the Bee Guardian team and has recently devised a PowerPoint presentation for the Bee Experience.

“Rob’s technical expertise has been called upon numerous times and he’s provided the sounds and lights for last years Farm Fest and this years Culture Fest. Rob has done a brilliant job both times.

“Rob is a huge asset to PSS and someone who I am glad to have as a friend.”

Next up is The Thinking Big Award, this award is for someone who has come up with a creative solution, an idea – big or small – that has made a difference in the service.

Our winner is…

Michelle

Annie Kilroy said: “Michelle has super creativity and resourcefulness in facilitating two peer support groups at the PSS Wellbeing Centres. Michelle co-facilitates the shared reading group fortnightly right through the year at the Umbrella Centre. She has completed her training at The Reader Organisation to become a Reading Leader.”

Annie added: “Michelle also came up with a niche, creative idea of a role-playing game – think Dungeons and Dragons! This is a group she has wanted to run for a number of years but with a lot of perseverance she’s got the group up and running this year.

“Michelle is passionate about the peer support groups she delivers and is always giving back the PSS Wellbeing Centre’s in return of the support she’s received. She’s truly made a difference to the lives of the people we support at the PSS Wellbeing Centres. With us, you can.”

The Belonging Award is for a volunteer who has gone the extra mile to learn how to become more inclusive in their volunteering role and the service. They have made changes to the way things are done and are committed to making PSS a more inclusive and diverse place to be.

The winner is…

Sheila

Wellbeing Practitioner Claire Williams said: “Sheila is such a nurturing, kind person and she have helped me a lot with my course Journey through Art. She is so creative. She has been crafting these little woollen animals called Chocolate Cosies, yummy bakes and handmade cards which she has been selling them at the Dutch Barn. All the money she made she’s put back into the Dutch Barn which is incredible. She is always looking for ways to generate revenue for our precious Dutch Barn which is so essential for all the things we run there. She also gets involved with lots of the activities and course we do.

“Sheila you’re incredible, you’re an absolute star. Thank you so much for your hard work!”

Last but not least is the Living the Values Award, this is for somebody who lives and breathes the PSS values. They are big – hearted, open – minded, determined, genuine and professional – all these qualities rolled into one!

The winner is…

Mark

Quality coordinator and Customer Service Advisor Sophie Banlin said: “My nomination is Mark, also know as, the Bee Man!

“Mark is so genuinely enthusiastic and passionate about everything that he does. I am so excited to come and learn more about the hive and the bees this year at Dutch Barn after picking Mark’s brain about it at Culture Fest this year.

Thank you Mark for everything you do, it’s massively appreciated and keep bee-ing you!

Watch The Volunteer Awards 2025 by clicking here.