Our annual volunteer awards are held in partnership with the Marsh Christian Trust to recognise those who work to improve the world, “selflessly contributing their time and energy to causes they believe in’.

The overall winner receives £350, while all shortlisted and runners-up receive £100 each.

This year, we were delighted to receive hundreds of nominations from older people and would like to take this opportunity to thank all our volunteers for their incredible dedication and support, especially throughout the current crisis.

Their efforts have brought so much comfort to older people who would have otherwise felt very alone at this difficult time.

Here are the winners:

Volunteer of the Year 2020: Bev Owen, Northwich, Cheshire 

Bev started volunteering with Re-engage after seeing a campaign on TV in 2011 and has since launched three new Re-engage tea party groups in Northwich, Cheshire. Over the years, she’s organised a variety of activities for her groups, from visits to the local fire station to a tea dance featuring wartime songs.

During the lockdown, she’s making sure all her group receive regular phone calls and also delivers monthly treats to cheer them up.

Bev says, “My group are like my extended family. It gives me so much joy to do what I can to help.”

What our older guests say:

“I’m 90 years old and I live on my own. My daughter is the only person I see normally, but all through lockdown Bev's been ringing me. She also comes over to collect my latest poem then prints it off and delivers it to the other guests in the group. And she made me a nice book for my poems. It’s just really, really lovely.”

“Bev is so caring and gives endless time to all her guests.... She helped two of our guests when they were very ill in hospital, visiting them and looking after them. She’s one in a million.”

Shortlisted: Stephanie Hutchings, Enfield

Steph has been very active throughout the lockdown, keeping in contact with her guests. Her whole family are involved in supporting the group.

What our older guests say:

“Stephanie’s the most thoughtful, kindest person I know. During my two hospital stays she was there. I feel like she kept me alive. I don’t have a daughter but if I did I’d be proud to have one like Stephanie. A great ambassador for Re-engage.”

“Thanks to Steph, all our group have bonded so well. We've got to know her family too.”

Shortlisted: Tanya Norris, Mansfield

Since the lockdown Tanya has kept in regular contact with her group, always letting them know she is thinking of them.

What our older guests say:

“Tanya and Martin are a good, friendly, caring couple. Tanya is a very good listener to all our group. During the lockdown, she’s kept in contact. I’m 82 and feel quite alone. When Tanya phones it’s just lovely.”

“We’ve become a friendly family group. All the volunteers are brilliant, kind and supportive.”

Shortlisted: Liz Nippress, Swindon

Liz was a volunteer driver before taking over her group. She’s very caring and active and is always finding ways to support them.

What our older guests say:

“Liz has become a very good friend over the year. She’s kept the group together since this epidemic with phone calls and making sure we get our poems every months as usual. She goes beyond what’s expected of her.”

“Since we’ve been unable to meet we’ve missed our poetry reading very much, so Liz is now mailing a poem to the group each week.”

Shortlisted: Catherine Craig, Newquay

After joining Re-engage last year, Cath has already launched a new group and has been supporting many new members through the lockdown with regular phone calls and visits.

What our older guests say:

“Cath is such a lovely kind and caring lady. She’s been so considerate, looking after me and checking up to see I'm OK every week.”

“Catherine always has a smile on her face. We chat when she pops by, standing two metres apart. She’s an amazing person.”

The following volunteers have been awarded as Runners Up for their dedication to volunteering at Re-engage:

Marjorie Clark, Tay, Perth

Liz Daniel, Malvern

Eleanor Duncan, Edgbaston

Roohi Durrani, Epsom

Shonagh Ferguson, Carnoustie, Scotland

John Gall, Aberdeen

Lesley Mackie, Fair City, Perth

Vic McDade, Carlisle

Nicola Miles, Bromley & Orpington

Carolyn Morgan, North Tyneside

Anne Palmer, Sheffield

Ken Salter, Chester

Katy Tunnard, Lincoln

Audrey Tupper, Jersey

Susan Turner, Coventry

Many congratulations and huge thanks to each one of these amazing volunteers!