Re-engage volunteer awards 2024

Join us in celebrating the heart and soul of Re-engage – our incredible volunteers. Through the Re-engage reward and recognition programme, we acknowledge the invaluable contributions of volunteers who make a profound difference in the lives of people aged 75 and over experiencing social isolation or loneliness

Each year, during the first week of June, we celebrate Volunteers' Week by honouring the amazing contributions Re-engage volunteers make. To mark Volunteers' Week 2024, we’ve once again teamed up with Room to Reward to express our gratitude to the 'hidden heroes' – our inspirational volunteers who selflessly give their time to support older adults.

Our volunteers are ordinary people going to extraordinary lengths and asking for nothing in return. As a token of our appreciation, the winners receive a one or two-night bed-and-breakfast stay for two people at a choice of more than 500 hotels across the UK. 

Once again, this year the standard of nominations for our volunteer awards has been exceptionally high and every single person nominated is a stand-out volunteering star. Our CEO Jenny Willott had the task of choosing the overall winners. 

Jenny said: “I had the privilege of selecting the winners of this year’s awards and I can honestly say it was the trickiest task I have had to do in a long time! I was heartened by the record number of nominations and filled with gratitude as I read the reasons why volunteers had been put forward. Re-engage volunteers really are the best of us.” 

Meet the winners 

Annette Souter joined Re-engage in 2012 as a volunteer driver for the Wolverhampton 1 tea party group and later became the group coordinator. Despite the challenges posed by the Covid pandemic, she kept her group connected, ensuring all her guests returned once lockdown ended. Annette's innovative spirit, exemplified by hosting tea parties at various venues like care homes, Sikh temples and community centres, earned her a well-deserved award. 

Lorraine Colquhoun, the West Lothian area organiser, is adored by her tea party guests across Almond Valley, Whitburn, Bathgate, and Armadale. With over 20 years of dedication, Lorraine has gone above and beyond, organising delightful events and even volunteering as a driver for the Kirkcaldy group. Her unwavering commitment and inspirational efforts make her a cornerstone of the Re-engage community. 

Paula Mullooly has been instrumental in setting up the Thurrock 6 tea party group and now coordinates a group, supported by eight other volunteers, for 11 older people. Besides organising tea parties, she produces a quarterly newsletter for the eight Re-engage groups in Thurrock, showcasing her dedication and multifaceted contributions. 

Stewart Bartle has been a volunteer with Re-engage for 40 years. After initially joining with his wife Pam in 1984, Stewart continued his work even after her passing, honouring her memory. His tireless efforts as the coordinator of the Bexleyheath 69a tea party group and his selfless nature have made him a beloved figure in the community.

Louisa Little has been calling her call companion, Margaret, weekly since January 2022. Despite having a very busy job in Oncology at London’s Cromwell Hospital and in the Health and Life Sciences Team at digital transformation company, Atos, Louisa finds time to volunteer for two charities. The calls Louisa makes have improved Margaret’s quality of life immensely.

A big thank you to everyone who made a nomination and huge congratulations to all the volunteers recognised. We wish you could all be winners. Our next volunteer awards will be held later this year, and nearer the time, we’ll provide details in Re-engage Matters and on social media about how you can make nominations.