Every June, charities celebrate the amazing contributions and achievements of their volunteers during Volunteers Week, which takes place from the 1st to the 7th of June.

At Guide Dogs, we take the appreciation of our volunteers one step further. All throughout June, our Volunteering Coordinators and local volunteering staff have been busy throwing Local Volunteer Awards across over 20 of our local sites featuring guest speakers, entertainment performances and plenty of snacks and goodies to go along with it.

Our volunteer awards are inspired by nominations based on our PEOPLE behaviours, focusing on behaviours such as:

Person-centred

Expert

Optimistic

Partner

Lead by example

Engage This year, we celebrated 722 inspiring nominations of our volunteers going above and beyond for Guide Dogs, resulting in around 150 volunteers receiving awards for our PEOPLE behaviours.

Here are snippets from a few of our favourite nominations for volunteers in our key roles, to inspire you to volunteer with us.

Fostering – “Janet and Clive have been volunteering for Guide Dogs since 1981, they have given a loving home to over 100 of our dogs. Their unwavering dedication and passion for the work of Guide Dogs is an inspiration to not only volunteers but staff as well, and they also fully represent Guide Dogs’ core values and behaviours…They take on challenges, advice and implement it, their positive outlook on working with you and not giving up is inspiring…They are the perfect role models for everyone at Guide Dogs."

Puppy Raising – “Ann is an exceptional puppy raiser of many decades having multiple successes. Her expert knowledge and dedication is renowned within the Guide Dogs fraternity of being regularly requested (by Guide Dogs) and accepting dogs to be puppy raised that have potential, but an issue or two that needs to be ironed out for the dogs to then go on to be fully qualified. Ann has done this on many an occasion and has a reputation of being a fountain of knowledge; widely appreciated and a force of confidence, determination and focus.”

My Sighted Guide – “Sophia is a lifeline to being more independent and participating in social activities that I have waited to do for more than forty years. Whether it is singing in a choir, visiting Madame Tussauds or enjoying a theatre show, I always have great fun and forget those everyday worries. You can’t put a price on happiness and self-confidence. Meeting we Sophia makes my week and puts a big smile on my face. Thank you, Guide Dogs, for this vital partnership. I am truly grateful.”

Fundraising Group Coordinator – “Sue’s passion to try new and innovative ways to fundraise, means that she is always coming up with novel ideas - The group have held everything from dancing events, to concerts and even a murder mystery evening - which was a huge success - as well as organising the staple events such as collections, pub quizzes and coffee mornings…Sue is an absolute pleasure to work with and someone I would be lost without! Thank you Sue for your continued support and dedication to Guide Dogs”

If you have been inspired to volunteer by one of this year’s volunteer nominations, go to guidedogs.org.uk/volunteer to check out opportunities in your local area. Could we be celebrating your volunteering achievements next year?