On Friday 7th June 2024, as volunteer week came to an end, Fusion hosted our annual Volunteer Awards Ceremony. This was a truly magical evening. Fusion appreciate and value each and every one of our volunteers and the awards ceremony is just a small token of our appreciation. The awards were presented nu Tad Taberer the chair of Fusion’s trustee board and Sue Maidens Fusion’s CEO.
The category nominees and winners were as follows:
Behind the Scenes Whizz (Kitchen)
Nominees:
Freya, Jason, Harry, Alecia, Mia, Rick, Stephen, Isaac and Jack
Winner:
Freya – Freya is an absolute star at Fusion. She has amazing initiative and confidence in the workings of a kitchen and coffee shop setting and can be given any task and do it well. Freya has a great attitude to working and learning. Freya joined the Fusion team in 2023.
Best Newcomer
Nominees:
Paula, Richard, Toby, Sarah and Dudley
Winner:
Richard – Richard is Fusion’s newest trustee, but he has been volunteering with us for some time via his association with the Maidstone Riverside Rotary and their outstanding work at the Park Wood Allotments project. Richard joined the board of trustees as he fully appreciates the work Fusion does in the community and the efforts the team makes to improving the lives of people in and around Park Wood. Richard always offers a helping hand and volunteers at many fundraising events.
Community Star
Nominees:
Gloria, Bess, Kathleen, Val, Ruth and Trish
Winner:
Trish – Trish’s hard work with hypertension heroes has meant that she is constantly working with the community, offering information, support and guidance. Trish’s presence on reception on a Friday at Fusion is always welcoming, kind and supportive.
Fundraising Champions
Nominees:
Mick, Liam C, Jeremy, Ina, Andy, Wendy Y and Lisa
Winners:
Jeremy & Ina – Since Fusion brought back fundraising events, Jeremy has been at every one, always offering a helping hand with a smile! Jeremy is also a Fusion driver who can always be relied on to deliver an off-site buffet. On more than one occasion Jeremy has stepped up at very short notice to run the coffee shop or cook the meal for Free Food Friday.
Ina – Ina is another volunteer that has been at every one of the fundraising events, always offering her support with enthusiasm. Ina also covers our reception on a Tuesday and Thursday morning as well as being a hypertension hero and a true ambassador for Fusion.
Long Service Award
Nominees:
Patricia, Scott, Venetia, Jenny, Gary and Angela H
Winner:
Venetia – Venetia is a hugely supportive volunteer who has been with us for a very long time, her loyalty and enthusiasm for Fusion is contagious. Venetia is a lead volunteer at our Chat & Natter table, our Knit & Knatter group, at Golden Friends and at both of our Chair Exercise groups.
Outstanding Service Award
Nominees:
Angela H, Ekene, Mike and Geoff
Winner:
Geoff – Well Geoff is an absolute hero in Fusion’s eyes, fixing toilets at the drop of a hat in his role as volunteer handyman! His incredible work with hypertension heroes has been an unmistakable asset to Fusion.
Professional Progress Award
Nominees:
Shabnam, Tabitha, Evie and Lasya
Winner:
Evie – Evie has been with Fusion for over a year now and her professional skills have blossomed, she is an essential part of the admin team.
Real Life Super Hero
Nominees:
Maidstone Riverside Rotary, Graham, Liam M, Angela B and Catherine
Winner:
Liam – Well what can we say about Liam, his tireless hard work (mostly lifting things that Chloe cannot) always means that every event goes off without a hitch!
Special Achievement Award
Nominees:
Mel, Susanna, Sam, Joe and Tad
Winner:
Mel – Mel is such an incredibly supportive human with such a kind nature, her untiring efforts have been an asset to Fusion.
Supporter of Others
Nominees:
Wendy W, Mervyn, Katy, Gay, Louise and Dan
Winner:
Gay – Gay is always offering a helping hand, either to Fusion or others. Without fail she will offer her support to anyone in need! Gay is a lead volunteer for our Young Person Cooking Programme, a support volunteer for Slow Cookery and Golden Friends as well as being a hypertension hero.
A volunteer celebration even would not be complete without a thank you to our board of trustees who volunteer their time to support the charity. We would therefore like to make a special mention and thank Tad, Gary, Angela, Dan, Richard, Wendy, Lisa and Louise for their hard work and dedication to Fusion.
We would also like to make a special mention to the students of Cornwallis Academy and New Line Learning Academy who, under the supervision of head chef Lee, prepared, cooked and server an outstanding three course meal for all our volunteers. These students have all taken part in Fusion’s Young Person Cooking Programme and were very keen to be involved with the Volunteer Awards Ceremony. A huge thank you to each and every one of you for volunteering your time on Friday what an achievement!
If you would like to know more about the volunteering opportunities available at Fusion please call 01622 691177 and speak to one of our friendly team, call into the centre or email enquiries@fusionhlc.org.uk.
