HVA Volunteer Awards
So proud of our three brilliant volunteers who received awards at the Hastings Voluntary Action AGM. It was a great event with loads of inspiring groups, charities and organisations. Read below to hear about what awards they won and why…
A shot of some of this years winners
Mandy - has been volunteering with Hastings HEART since the beginning of its' existence (that’s four years!). During this time, she has helped numerous members of the community as a marshal for the COVID vaccinations and driver, throughout the pandemic, and now as a part of our Community Info Hub Team. She is always ready to be there for someone with a great commitment, care, and professionalism, demonstrating an empathic and caring support to those in need. She has, on a weekly basis, worked alongside our full-time advisors, offering practical help to our client users who have issues around digital inclusion, need sign-posting to relevant support, and just want to be listened to and given space to do so. Mandy brings her huge wealth of experience in public interface within the transport and hospitality sectors, and also as the sparkly unicorn that she is. She has also attended our regular Get Chatting afternoons, assisting us with clients and interacting with warmth, kindness and care. She is are ever-ready to engage with people and is a key part of our little Community Info Hub team. Her input has been so valuable to our service and continues to be so.
Alison - has been volunteering with Hastings HEART for over a year, since she moved to Hastings! During this time she has helped numerous members of the community with great commitment, care, and professionalism, demonstrating an empathic and caring support to those in need who use our Community Info Hub. She has, on a weekly basis, worked alongside our full-time advisors, offering practical help to our client users who have issues around digital inclusion, need sign-posting to relevant support, and just want to be listened to and given the space to do so. Alison brings her huge wealth of experience as an artist, ex-lawyer, traveller, bookworm, and the warm and interesting person that she is. She has also attended our regular Get Chatting afternoons, assisting us with clients and interacting with warmth, kindness, and care. She is are ever-ready to engage with people and is a key part of our little Community Info Hub team. Her input has been so valuable to our service and continues to be so.
Pru - has, since the beginning of Hastings HEART (that’s four years!), been key in supporting the service with helping as a volunteer coordinator, marshall for the COVID vaccinations, and driver, throughout the pandemic and beyond. She ensured that our community were helped with medical and food supplies delivered to those who were isolated during COVID, and continues to offer help with transport for those who need to attend medical appointments or to our Get Chatting gatherings, and struggle with mobility issues and/or can’t afford a taxi. Nothing is ever a problem, she has been part of our success as a charity connecting with the community and ensuring people feel supported and cared for. She even refuses to be reimbursed for petrol expenses! She offers a reliable resource for our service, ensuring people get to where they need to be and often jumps into the rescue when there is an emergency delivery for supplies. Her commitment has been astounding and we really want to award her for the dedication she brings to our volunteer team.”