As part of our annual volunteer celebrations, the TCV Hero Awards, four TCV volunteer and community groups took to the stage at a special awards event in November, held at the headquarters of People’s Postcode Lottery.
The winners of these annual awards are volunteers who go above and beyond in their activities or conservation tasks, inspire others, and make a real difference in their local communities. The awards are enabled by players of People’s Postcode Lottery and this year are extra special as they were awarded during TCV’s 65th anniversary year.
Rebecca Kennelly, CEO at TCV said: “TCV’s Hero Awards are a chance for us to come together and celebrate our amazing volunteers and community partners. It was a double celebration as these awards were held during our 65th anniversary year! We had a fabulous evening to present our winners with their awards, see them in action through a series of videos, and chat to each individual about their experiences with TCV.”
The award winners were a fantastic mix representing the breadth and diversity of TCV’s work. From a TCV Community Network group in Scotland, Earlston Paths Group, who have spent the last twenty years enabling local people to get active and access woodland paths; to I Dig Trees community group in Worcestershire, Wild Wisdom Community Farm, who set up just a couple of years ago to involve local people in food growing and being in nature.
Two Yorkshire-based TCV teams celebrated awards. TCV Hollybush won for the group’s outstanding efforts in creating an inclusive community hub, and Evan Pidgeon took Volunteer of the Year for his own achievements in developing skills and confidence and being an integral part of the Doncaster volunteering group.
Rebecca Kennelly went on to say: ““Our winners for 2024 are brilliant examples of the kinds of volunteers and community groups who have been with TCV over this time. It’s just incredible to see the profound impact and ability to change people’s lives positively through groups and individuals giving their passion, time, dedication to volunteering, as well as improving green spaces for nature and local communities.”
Presenters of the awards included TCV President and sustainability expert, Sir Jonathon Porritt, TCV Chair Jon Towler, People’s Postcode Lottery Head of Charities Laura Chow, and TCV CEO Rebecca Kennelly.
Laura Chow, head of charities at People’s Postcode Lottery, said: “It’s wonderful to be able to celebrate the inspiring TCV volunteers and community groups, who make a real difference in their local areas. These awards shine a light on the incredible dedication of those who connect people to nature and green spaces, and seeing their passion and commitment is truly uplifting.”
Grab a cup of tea and a biscuit – our volunteers’ favourite – and read more about each winner and watch them in action in their winners’ videos:
TCV Hero Awards 2024 | TCV
Through the support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery, community groups across Great Britain can join TCV’s Community Network for free. Members can take advantage of benefits including guidance and advice from TCV’s local teams, online resources, discounts on insurance and tools, the ability to apply for TCV’s Chestnut Fund grants, and access to a network of groups across the country.
