Thrive held it’s first Volunteer of the Year Award recently at Thrive’s headquarters at Beech Hill, near Reading, to recognise and reward the major contribution volunteers make to Thrive, the small national charity that helps disabled people through gardening. Dr Christina H Williams, High Sheriff of the Royal County of Berkshire presented the awards.
Members of Thrive staff, volunteers and disabled gardeners nominated 28 people who were judged on a variety of criteria including enthusiasm, commitment, empathy and that 'extra’ special reason.
The winner of Thrive’s first Volunteer of the Year Award was Judy Tiplady from Lower Earley, Reading. Judy has been a volunteer a Thrive’s national office since October 2008. Her husband John was a therapist at Thrive’s Trunkwell Garden Project but sadly died. It was then Judy decided to start at Thrive as a volunteer working in Thrive’s office carrying out a wide variety of roles from admin through to helping at events and even painting! Given this is where her husband worked, it evokes bitter sweet feelings for her.
Nicola Carruthers, Chief Executive of Thrive said: "Judy epitomises what Thrive stands for – our belief in the ability of human beings to triumph over adversity. Everyday we see people who face the challenges that life has thrown at them and everyday we see how they overcome them with humour, frequently with humility and regularly with ingenuity. Judy is a great example of this and a worthy winner of our first Volunteer of the Year Award."
July Tiplady said: "Thrive, I believe has a superb network of volunteers who bring many and varied attributes to the charity. For that reason I feel extremely honoured and humbled to be the recipient of the first Volunteer of the Year Award. The charity does exceptional work in glorious surroundings; it is a privilege to be a part of it. I gain so much pleasure and enjoyment from being with the staff, co-volunteers and clients that to have this award bestowed upon me too – well, it just couldn’t get any better than that."
Thrive would not be able to help nearly as many disabled people through gardening without the invaluable help of its volunteers. Each year Thrive receives over12,000 hours of support from members of the public and from teams of corporate volunteers. 83 people volunteer at Thrive on a regular basis which is over double the number of staff the charity employs. This year 760 corporate volunteers from 43 companies, have provided over 6,000 hours of help and support as well.
Volunteers come to Thrive for many reasons; some to gain skills and experience, to give something back in their local community or others as an interim step to employment. Companies send volunteer groups as a team building exercise or to give something back.
Volunteers help the charity in a wide variety of ways from office and administrative work, gardening, supporting disabled gardeners to getting involved with events and even helping with fundraising activities.
If you would like to find out more about Thrive or are interested in volunteering at Thrive please call us on 0118 988 5688 or email
info@thrive.org.uk.