Shared Experiences
Every volunteer and organisation has a story to tell and we love to tell great volunteering stories! Here we share stories from local Volunteers, our #MedwayHeroes. We hope your organisation and your volunteers will consider sharing your volunteering stories as it’s a great way to inspire others to get involved in volunteering too.
Medway's Volunteering Community
Shared Stories
We hope you enjoy some of these stories from volunteers in Medway - keep watching this space as we hope to share more of these extraordinary tales of local people make a real difference to the lives of people living in Medway.
| Medway's Volunteer Voices | A short film (made by a volunteer!) to help local Medway organisations celebrate volunteering during Volunteers Week 2017 - click here to watch the film and be inspired |
#MedwayHeroes | Watch a short film celebrating Medway's volunteers and their heroic support through the Covid-19 pandemic- click here to watch and celebrate our #MedwayHeroes |
'Where Volunteering Begins' | Where volunteering begins is a national You Tube campaign it shares stories of ordinary people doing extraordinary things, and gives an insight into the diverse range of volunteering opportunities available, and the different people who give their time. |
If you have a story about your volunteering experiences that you'd like to share, you can send in your story to us at comms@mva.org.uk.
MVA's Barry Clout Award – An annual celebration of the outstanding contributions volunteers make to volunteering and local communities every day in Medway.
Barry Clout was an MVA Trustee and longstanding supporter of the Voluntary Sector. He had a great appreciation of the involvement and the contribution that the sector still makes to improve both the lives of people in need and in local communities. Barry worked hard to make the world a better place until the day before he died. He affected lives for the good in everything he did and was loved and respected everywhere he went. He was especially passionate about young people and the countryside.
In memory of Barry Clout, this award is presented each year to a nominee for their involvement, their support, and their impact on the community and across Medway. The Outstanding Volunteering Contribution Award recognises individuals whose selfless dedication and tireless efforts have made a profound impact on their communities. This award is not merely a reflection of hours spent volunteering but celebrates the transformative power of kindness and commitment to service.
Recipients of this award often go above and beyond, inspiring others to engage and take action in a wide array of areas and health initiatives in Medway. Their contributions not only enhance the lives of those they serve but also foster a spirit of collaboration and unity among diverse groups.
With this in mind we are delighted to announce that nominations for MVA's 2024 Barry Clout Volunteering Award are now Open
If you know a local volunteer who deserves a ‘BIG THANK YOU’ on behalf of the people of Medway, then please take a few moments of your time to nominate them for the award.
The closing date for all nominations is 12pm Monday the 7th of October 2024, with winners being presented with their award by Dr Gillian Fargher the High Sheriff of Kent, at MVA's AGM on Thursday the 7th of November.
Click HERE to download the 2024 nomination form. When you have completed it please it return to volunteering@mva.org.uk on email or by post to MVA, 5a New Road Avenue, Chatham, ME4 6BB.
Barry Clout Award for Outstanding Contributions to Volunteering in Medway - Winner & Runners-up 2023
Winner 2023
Amanda Birch, Events Manager & Trustee at Medway Puzzles was the 2023 overall award winner. Despite her own health issues. From the minute she got up to the minute she went to bed she was volunteering, booking and planning trips, going to schools to do talks and meeting parents desperate for help. Amanda and her team pulled off an incredible 10,000 interactions in 2023 with Members, through activities on a Friday night, across the school holidays, phone calls and endless 1-1’s.
Puzzles has had an incredible journey over the years, and it would not have happened without Amanda.
Runners-up 2023
Runners-up in 2023 were Sara Daly & Paula Baxter who were nominated for their volunteer work with Medway Help for Ukrainians. They are trustees of the charity and work tirelessly and endlessly to support the Ukrainian refugees in Medway to make sure that their arrival and time here is with full support. Sue Bulpin was also a runner-up and was nominated for her volunteer work with The Net Community Hub.
If you have any questions regarding the 2024 award please contact Lisa at MVA either on email lisa@mva.org.uk or by phone on 01634 812 850.