Catherine Jowitt, Head of Charity and Volunteering at Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust and the Trust’s Volunteer to Career Programme have both been shortlisted for the prestigious Helpforce Champions Awards 2023.

The awards provide national recognition of the fantastic contribution to volunteering in the health and care sector. They are also a chance to shine a light on those who give their time to help health and care organisations, to support people, staff and their families and carers.

Catherine Jowitt has been shortlisted for ‘Volunteer Lead of the Year’ and the Trust’s Volunteer to Career Programme has been shortlisted for ‘Best Volunteer to Career Programme’.

Catherine Jowitt, Head of Charity and Volunteering said: “I’ve had the pleasure of leading the growth of volunteering in the Trust to over 200 volunteers supporting patients and staff. Seeing people embrace volunteering to give back to the NHS, in their own recovery or supporting their career aspirations is an absolute pleasure. It is amazing to be shortlisted for the Volunteer Lead of the Year award and I can’t wait to attend the award ceremony in London in October.”

Mark Lever, Chief Executive of Helpforce, said: “Congratulations to those who have been shortlisted for this year’s Helpforce Champions Awards. The standard of the submissions for this year is extremely high with evidence showing the great impact that volunteering has on our health and care system. We hope that finalists feel proud to get to this stage to showcase the difference that they make to patients, carers, and staff.

“We want to thank everyone for taking the time to recognise the volunteers and send our congratulations to those who have been shortlisted and we’d like to wish them the best of luck.”

Joanne Smith, Clinical Lead Volunteer to Career, said: “I am so excited to be shortlisted for the best Volunteer to Career Programme, the possibility of winning an award is a dream come true.  I am fortunate to have spent the last few years as a clinical lead for Volunteer to Career.  I have had the pleasure of working with the most committed staff and dedicated volunteers who are part of our future workforce, this has genuinely been the highlight of my 25-year career in the NHS”.

Amaan Fazal, Volunteer at Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust said: “My Volunteer to Career experience has been an eye opener which I have enjoyed thoroughly so far.”

Winners will be announced on Helpforce’s website and social media channels on Monday 16 October.

The categories being celebrated at the awards are:

  • Best Volunteer to Career programme
  • Volunteer of the Year
  • Staff Champion of the Year
  • Volunteer Lead of the Year
  • Celebrating Equality, Diversity & Inclusion in Volunteering (ED & I Award)
  • Volunteering Collaboration of the Year (Partnership)
  • Impact Project of the Year