Six incredible people who have been supporting St Barnabas Hospice through volunteering have been awarded coveted Room to Reward certificates.
Not only is this award a great honour for all who receive it, but it also comes with a mini-holiday anywhere in the country – the recipient gets to choose!
Amanda Trolle, Anita Grey, David Thorn, Jenni Smith, Jim Ferguson and Wendy Herridge have all been successfully nominated by their managers or colleagues and will now be considering where to go on their 1- or 2-night hotel break.
Read their stories below.
Amanda Trolle
Amanda was nominated by her manager Charlotte Guy, who cannot praise her enough. Charlotte says: “Amanda has been working in the Louth clothes shop for just over one year as a Retail Assistant Volunteer and volunteers teers for several days each week.
“Amanda is always the first person to cover the shop and works extra hours for the shop to stay open. Nothing is ever too much for her when she is here. She really does have the charity at heart of what she does. It would be nearly impossible to find another volunteer like her.”
Congratulations, Amanda!
Anita Grey
Long-standing volunteer Anita was nominated by Fundraising Team Leader Rebecca Hooton, who said: “Anita is a Fundraising volunteer who has been with us for the past 10 years. She is the fundraising face of the Hospice and is always smiling, she radiates happiness and has a zest for life.
“Anita has volunteered for so many events including all six of our Colour Dash events, leading the volunteers on our merchandise stand and ensuring targets are met – always exceeding. She also has so much knowledge of the hospice and its services that she is able to help spread awareness as a brand ambassador.
“Anita is our best Fundraising volunteer and a true Hospice Hero.”
Congratulations, Anita!
David Thorn
Lincoln Area Retail Manager Grace Cook nominated David, saying: “David has volunteered for the Hospice café at Lincoln Magistrates Court for many years. The café is entirely volunteer run and David has taken the lead since we reopened after the pandemic.
“David regularly goes above and beyond and was present when the health inspector recently visited. Thanks to his immaculate record-keeping and great management, the café was awarded a 5-star food hygiene rating.
“He also has undertaken the project of revamping the menu and price list due to increase in stock costs. He streamlined the menu, only including best-selling items to reduce wastage, and increasing the prices to ensure the café remains in profit while giving value for money to the customer.
“David is very much appreciated by the Hospice, and it would be lovely to reward him for his hard work.”
Congratulations, David!
Jenni Smith
Jenni was nominated by her manager Wendy Hyland, who couldn’t do with her. Wendy says: “Jenni has been a keyholding volunteer at the Bourne charity shop for over 10 years. She ran the shop with a team of volunteers for approximately 2 years before I joined as Manager, keeping the shop open and raising much needed funds for the Hospice.
“She makes decisions on how the shop runs, visual merchandising, jobs that need doing and assisting other volunteers if they need any help. Jenni has recently taken another volunteer under her wing, training her up to also be a keyholding volunteer too.
“Jenni is a fantastic asset to the charity.”
Congratulations, Jenni!
Jim Ferguson
Jim was nominated by Silvia Potts, a Health and Rehabilitation Support Worker who sees all the good Jim does. She says: “Jim began with the Hospice as a volunteer driver for Day Therapy patients. In good weather he even used his open top car to the delight of a few of our patients who never had such an experience before!
“Over the years, he has volunteered for fundraising events, even dressing up as a reindeer around Christmas. He has given talks on behalf of St Barnabas, collects cheques and donations, always with endless patience. Jim has literally gone to the other end of the world for us on a Great Wall of China trek, raising thousands.
“Jim really is a breath of fresh air and now supports the weekly Coffee Morning in Grantham. We are lucky to have him supporting us in so many ways.”
Congratulations, Jim!
Wendy Herridge
Counselling Services Manager Joanne White has nominated her volunteer, Wendy. She says: “Wendy has been volunteering with us for many years and is a fantastic counsellor. Her experience and knowledge enables us to allocate to her our complex clients with ease and confidence.
“She will often take on home visits for us and prior to lockdown, Wendy would travel to support the community of Skegness, including clients in the rural villages that would have otherwise been unable to access our support.
“Wendy has trained our counsellors in Suicide Awareness as this was her job previously to her retirement from paid work. This has been an invaluable tool for the team and for the clients that we keep safe.
“Wendy goes above and beyond to support her clients.”
Congratulations, Wendy!
St Barnabas Hospice gets the chance to nominate deserving volunteers each year through Room to Reward, the whole reward scheme is free to the Hospice and to the Volunteers winning the award.
Again, well done to our six amazing volunteers – enjoy your mini break!