Southend’s volunteering heroes celebrated at 2026 Southend Volunteer Awards

November 11, 2026

Southend’s unsung heroes celebrated at 2026 Volunteer Awards

Volunteers who dedicate their time to supporting people and communities across Southend have been recognised at the Southend Volunteer Awards 2026, hosted by SAVS.

Ten individuals and teams were honoured at the awards on 22 October, celebrating the huge contribution volunteers make across the city through community support, health and wellbeing, environmental action, sport, and long-term service.

This year’s winners were:

· Community Inclusion & Connection – Chris Gostling, Shoebury Men’s Shed

· Health & Wellbeing – Hope Everett, In This Together

· Environmental Champion – Helen Shine, Surfers Against Sewage

· Innovation in Volunteering – Margaret Durkan, HARP

· Team Award – The Kindness Kitchen Team, St Vincent de Paul Society Southend

· Youth Volunteer of the Year – Jocelyn Ayao, Southend Youth Council

· Trustee of the Year – Ros Dunhill, Southend-on-Sea Rape Crisis

· Inspirational Volunteer of the Year – Yasmin and Paul Brennan, Charlie Boys Angels

· Lifetime Achievement – John Collier, South Essex Advocacy Services

· Outstanding Contribution to Sport – Keith Palmer, Southend-on-Sea Athletics Club

The awards recognised volunteers who bring people together, improve health and wellbeing, protect the local environment, introduce new ideas and work with others to strengthen their communities.

They also celebrated young volunteers making an early impact, trustees supporting local charities, inspirational individuals who motivate others, those who have dedicated many years to volunteering and people using sport to create opportunities and improve wellbeing.

SAVS Chief Executive Anthony Quinn said:

“Southend is incredibly fortunate to have so many people who are willing to give their time, skills, and energy to help others.

The Volunteer Awards give us the opportunity to recognise those people and make sure their contribution does not go unnoticed. Behind every nomination is a story of someone helping to make Southend a kinder, healthier, more connected, and supportive place to live.”

Emma Jellett from SAVS added:

“We’d like to say a huge thank you to every organisation and individual who took the time to nominate a volunteer this year. The nominations gave us the opportunity to hear so many wonderful stories about people making a real difference across Southend.

We’re also incredibly grateful to all our sponsors, whose support makes it possible for us to celebrate our volunteers in the way they deserve. The awards are a real community effort.”

The awards were supported by South Essex Colleges Group, Atlantic Pacific Global Logistics, SUEZ UK, Hallmark Luxury Care Homes – Admiral Court, Leigh-on-Sea Lions Club, The Joseph Toomey Charitable Foundation, Citizens Advice Southend, The ROSCA Trust and Jefferies Solicitors.