The Only National Awards For Non-Medical / Non-Clinical NHS Staff & Volunteers

Nomination

Award Category:

Admin & Clerical

Individual or Team Nomination?

Individual

Nominators Answer

Nominee's story :

Ann is the administrator for the Trust’s volunteer service, but this does not give the full impression of what her role and impact is. With only 2 people in the volunteer team, Ann is the first point of contact for both new and existing volunteers, with a friendly, supportive and encouraging demeanour which is repeatedly commented on as one of the main reasons people sign up to become volunteers and stay with us. Ann takes on self referrals, manages the on boarding of all new volunteers, works with them through their training and induction and provides ongoing support throughout the volunteer’s time with us. Ann also goes out into the local communities, often single handedly, to attend partner and community events and promote our volunteer roles, encourage people to sign up, and promotes the services the Trust has to offer. While Ann’s job title is administrator she could just as easily be referred to as a recruiter, a HR adviser, a trainer, a wellbeing support officer. Her role encompasses all of these roles. Her responsibilities go far beyond the traditional role of an administrator, and the impact Ann has on the volunteer service, the Trust and on our volunteers is astounding. We often receive complements about Ann and the way she supports and helps others. This in itself would make her eligible as an unsung hero. However, in the past year the head of volunteering had to take considerable time off to have an operation. Throughout this time Ann single handedly ran the volunteer service, supporting over 140 existing volunteers and recruiting and onboarding more. This was an extremely busy time yet Ann dealt with everything with the same friendly and supportive manner as she always has. She managed to not only keep the service going but, despite the absence of the department head, move the service forward. Ann’s dedication to volunteers is extremely warming to see. Throughout the many years she has worked in the volunteer service it has grown, become stronger, and built a positive reputation both internally and externally – with partners taking on for themselves many of our practises. Ann is not someone who puts herself forward or seeks to self-promote. She quietly works away, supporting others and helping to bring about improvements. She is unassuming and demonstrates excellence every day - the very definition of an unsung hero. An award for Ann would mean so much to her and to all of us who work with her and admire her.