Helen Johnson Awards 2025

Celebrating our volunteers through the Helen Johnson Awards…

For the last three years, Voluntary Norfolk, have run the Helen Johnson Awards, which celebrate the brilliant work our volunteers with ECCH, NCH&C, HTG and CSS have done over the last year.

Michael Kitching, Voluntary Norfolk’s CEO, kicked off the event, outlining the impact Voluntary Norfolk’s volunteers have had in the last 12months, committing 10,000s hours to supporting services like the NHS across Norfolk and beyond. He said: 

“The people nominated today exemplify the importance of volunteering. Statutory services like the NHS wouldn’t be able to function without the kind of hours given up by volunteers. Thanks to everyone over the last year and congratulations to all the nominees.”

Remembering Last Year’s Winner…

Before the nominees were announced, Belinda Axten, Voluntary Norfolk’s Head of Volunteer Services, made an announcement regarding last year’s winner, David Elliott, who sadly passed away after a battle with illness.

She commended his dedication to volunteering, not just with Voluntary Norfolk, but also for so many other organisations and said: 

“He did 10,000s of miles in his time with us. He was calm and unflappable and a lot of the new volunteers found him so welcoming when he went out with them, as he made sure they felt comfortable going into their role… I think we should all take a moment to remember him.”

Helen Johnson Award Nominees

The nominees for the Helen Johnson Award were then announced. The award is named after the former chair of the Voluntary Norfolk who served in that capacity for 16 years.

Helen said: “It is a privilege and honour to be here today and lovely to meet you all. I wanted to say how important volunteering is. It is often called the gift relationship – in return for giving their time volunteers get something back and when looking at the nominations we should focus on that. I was so impressed with the quality of nominees – the world is a better place for you all being in it, especially in these troubled times.”

This year’s nominees were:

  1. Colin Greengrass who volunteers for ECCH.
  2. Peter Jackson who volunteers for as a non-emergency patient driver
  3. Rhianna Greenwood who volunteers on the reception desk with NCH&C
  4. Derek Melton who volunteers as part of the CSS (but sadly couldn’t be there today because he also volunteers for Meals on Wheels).
And the winner is…

Helen then announced the winner, saying:

“On this occasion I have chosen the person who has grown immensely as a result of being a volunteer and it’s on that basis that I have chosen Rhianna. So congratulations to everyone and particularly to Rhianna. A lot of people have been grateful to have met you.”

Rhianna responded by saying: “Volunteering has really changed my life for the better. Before I wouldn’t go outside and talk to anyone. I have made friends and have helped people. Thank you.”

Congratulations to all the nominees and winner of this year’s Helen Johnson awards!