Award nominees including ECDP

In late January, one of ECDP’s volunteering projects- the Independent Visitors Scheme (IVS)- received a call from Andrew Streeter from the High Sheriff’s office advising that we had been shortlisted for the ‘Volunteer Centre Award’ finalists. More than 65 projects and clubs had been shortlisted to just 6, including IVS. One of our volunteers, Joanne Marchant, had nominated us to recognise the training, supervision and encouragement we gave her as a volunteer at ECDP.

Joanne Marchant, Angie Joy and Cheryl Hodder representing ECDPJoanne, my colleague Cheryl and I attended the awards ceremony at the Fennes Estate in Bocking on 10 March. The event was a bit like the Oscars but for the voluntary sector. There was even a red carpet! There were approximately 200 people representing all district boroughs within Essex, Southend and Thurrock including mayors, mayoresses and councilors, along with groups/projects from the voluntary sector.

It was a great privilege to be part of these awards and for our work with volunteers to be recognised. On this occasion the award went to the Toy Library at Colchester – another excellent project with a committed team of volunteers – but we were delighted to have our work noted by dignitaries in Essex.

Our certificate is now proudly displayed in ECDP’s main reception. We continue to recruit and train volunteers in order to support disabled people to become more independent within their local community. 

Our next volunteer training course will be taking place over 2 days (on 15 and 30 June). This follows Volunteers’ Week 2010, during which we plan to attend local events in order to promote all of the ways people can get involved with volunteering at ECDP. This week also gives us the opportunity to recognise and reward our volunteers at our quarterly group meeting which takes place around this time.

I would like to once again thank Joanne for her successful nomination and to those volunteers who also took the time to nominate the project. A very big thank you to our valued team of volunteers; without them the project would not be able to continue and be the success that it is.

If you would like to find out more about the volunteering opportunities available here at ECDP or the service that our Insight project provides then please contact us on 01245 392310 or email ivsadmin@ecdp.co.uk.