We’re over the moon to have received almost 100 nominations from staff, volunteers, and older people this year, each celebrating the outstanding contributions of our volunteers. Reading the nominations has been inspiring and moving, and we’re incredibly proud of the kindness and generosity our volunteers bring to their roles.
Each of the 12 winners will receive £250 from The Marsh Charitable Trust and their achievements recognised at our online awards ceremony.
Emily Mangroves, Re-engage Head of Service Delivery and Volunteering, said: "It's the highlight of my year reading the nominations and this year was no exception – all of our volunteers do a phenomenal job, but this year’s Marsh Awards winners have gone the extra mile to help reduce loneliness for older people. They have shown extraordinary dedication and it’s humbling to hear just how generous, kind and helpful they have been.”
Amel Kathrada – Tea Parties
Amel’s a mum of three from Manchester, who’s been volunteering for 16 years, first as a driver and now as a tea party coordinator. She said: “I wanted to do something as a Muslim woman when there was a lot of bad press and Islamophobia. I wanted to give back to my community and do something lovely to share joy and kindness.
“It’s just about getting to meet people I wouldn’t normally meet in my daily life. Getting to know each other and spend time with them – they share such fascinating stories, about the war, their youth and have just such great insights into life. They’re all so lovely.
“I always think we’re the lucky ones; we get to spend time with you amazing ladies. The worst part is dropping them back home and realising how lonely and isolating it is – many have become friends now, meet beyond the tea parties – it's really special.”
“She is an absolute asset to the charity and goes out of her way to make sure everyone is happy.”
– Helen, fellow volunteer
Irene Heron – Tea Parties
Irene has nearly two decades of volunteering under her belt and puts her long service down to fellow volunteers, including Jean Malcolm, the older people she has met, and the community they have created together.
Irene said: “It appealed to me as I have previous experience of working with older people and I know what loneliness can feel like. We’ve made some phenomenal, lasting friendships in Scotland, and older guests have networks they wouldn’t have had before Re-engage. We check in if they’re poorly and don’t leave anyone on their doorstep or behind, it’s more than just the regular tea party, and that’s down to our volunteers.
“The success of groups is thanks to our volunteers - their commitment and kindness and dedication.”
“Always supportive, always thoughtful, always kind. She is an invaluable help to me.”
- Jean, fellow volunteer
Joan Wall – Tea Parties
Joan’s close friend started the Wootton Bassett group four decades ago, and became more involved when she retired from teaching 26 years ago. She’s been praised for her unwavering commitment and dedication to the groups and local community.
Joan said “I feel like I’m doing something good, I do not want to be a retired spare part, I want to keep doing things. I no longer drive, so I don’t see so many people now, I really look forward to it.
“The guests certainly seem to enjoy it. I always make too much food, especially cake, so they can take some home. Everyone has really got to know each other, it’s a lovely group.”
“Joan had also helped me out being a last minute host when our planned host fell ill. It's great to have Joan as part of my team.”
– Alison, fellow volunteer
John Hooper – Tea Parties
John, 88, has been volunteering for about 20 years, initially becoming involved with his wife Brenda, who sadly died five years ago.
John said: “Initially we started hosting and always did the first tea party in the New Year. We both loved doing it. It was a family affair. After Brenda died, I carried on as a driver, which I really love doing.
“It’s wonderful to drive the guests. I tell them jokes and they love them – it's an easy audience I suppose! I have a regular guest I take, but I’ll also fill in for others if necessary. I’m older than some who go to the tea parties, but I don’t mind – I'll just keep going.”
“John is 88, older than some of our guests! He has such a big heart and a wonderful sense of humour. We love his jokes and his warm-hearted nature.”
– Alison, fellow volunteer
Nikola Sutherland – Tea Parties
Following an incredible 25 years as a Re-engage volunteer, Nikola has stepped down from her role before she relocates to America next year with her family.
She said: “I’ve got to know the guests who come along, and they are such lovely, interesting, cheerful people, who are humble, wise, and never boast about anything. This year will be my last Christmas lunch before we head off to America. I will really miss the events because Re-engage is a grass roots charity. I’ve also got to know the drivers who are the real heroes because they do it every month and they are so kind.
“They really do love coming along and you can see they enjoy the day so much because they are relaxed and chat and have fun. I think I actually get more enjoyment from the day than they do because I can see how much it means to them.”
“Her warm, welcoming personality makes the entire event go with a swing...and nothing is too much trouble for her. She genuinely embodies what the charity is about, and for some of our guests, who have no alternative festive focus, her dinners are the highlight of the season.”
– Carl, fellow volunteer
Patricia Lay – Tea Parties
Pat from Bury signed up as a volunteer a decade ago, and hasn’t looked back, saying she’d be lost without the tea parties she hosts.
She told us: “The guests are so appreciative of everything you do. You’d think we are giving them the world. Many of them say they would like to have the tea parties more frequently and I can understand why.
“You can see how happy it makes them. They all get on and some of them have made friends and stay in touch outside of the tea parties. I look forward to them every month, it’s just as if I’m going to a party. They are all such smashing people, I really wish I had met them earlier in my life. I hate missing one of the tea parties – I would be absolutely lost without them, they are so enjoyable.”
“Just knowing Pat is always available, an amazing volunteer, friendly and helpful, always with a positive attitude is fantastic and reassuring for us in our volunteering role as coordinators.”
– Lynn and Susan, fellow volunteers
Rohan Young – Call Companions
Rohan has three Call Companions who he phones regularly to offer a friendly voice and support. He’s been volunteering for Re-engage for over a year, alongside his role as a self-employed coach and consultant, and other volunteering roles. He also became one of the faces for our 1 Million Minutes campaign with ITV’s Good Morning Britain, resulting in hundreds of new volunteer applications for the charity.
Rohan explained: “Following being signed off with long Covid, and caring for my aunty, I wanted to get involved. I had worked supporting young people previously and thought it would be nice to support older people. I looked around and found Re-engage.
“I love it! I get to talk to interesting characters; we have informal relationships. I learn from my Call Companions, and it has helped replace my grandparents. I really look forward to our calls. I make all my calls on a Friday; it’s my Re-engage day!”
“Rohan is brilliant, you don't get Rohan's often – he's just a star - he's been so kind and caring with his matches and just radiates joy and compassion.”
– Emily, Head of Service Delivery
Shivam Patal – Tea Parties
Shivam’s volunteering journey started around 14 years ago after he spotted an advert looking for people to sign up. He particularly enjoys mixing with different types of people who are outside of his work and social group, and he says he enjoys older people’s wisdom.
He shared: “It’s all about the people who can form deep and meaningful relationships, as they see the same familiar faces each time, so deep connections are formed.
"Re-engage gives older people something to look forward to every month. It’s an anchor, a regular thing in their lives and for some, friendships have been made, and they meet outside the group in between tea parties.”
“Seeing Shivam’s tireless efforts and kindness has personally encouraged me, and reinforced the importance of supporting our guests with care and compassion.”
– Sherelle, Service Delivery Officer
Stephanie Hutchings – Tea Parties
For eight years, Steph has been volunteering as a group coordinator, and her husband is a tea party driver too!
Steph explained how one of her guests hadn’t been out on Christmas Day for years, but now she spends the big day with Steph and other guests, something which she says has ‘changed her life’.
In addition to regular tea parties, Steph has helped organise pantomimes, Mother’s Day events, and birthday celebrations for her guests. Steph said: “I have the pleasure of lovely company, I love the hosts and I feel like our guests are family. It makes me feel so good helping people, and it has a positive impact on my own mental health.”
“Steph has a deep and caring relationship with every person within the group, she goes the extra mile all the time, celebrating birthdays and Christmas with presents and cards.”
– Ruth, fellow volunteer
Susan Masters – Tea Parties and Outreach
24 years ago, Susan responded to an advert in her local paper, and signed up to Re-engage as a tea party host, along with her husband. After the Covid pandemic, Susan took on the role of tea party group coordinator.
Describing what makes the events she is involved in organising, Susan said: “You invite people to your house who you don’t know, and they leave happy after enjoying the tea party and conversations with each other people.
“I feel lucky to be involved in a group with people who you didn’t really know at first. It’s been an enjoyable experience.”
“I'm always impressed by Susan's enthusiasm and dedication to helping older people.”
– Barry, Press Officer
Vivien Raggett – Tea Parties
Vivien first saw an article for Re-engage in the Harrow Observer in 2007 and got in touch with the local co-ordinator. She says becoming involved in Re-engage has in turn helped her with her own problems, and in her own words, 'kept me going!'
Vivien said: “So many or our guests are widowed, it’s heartwarming seeing the difference the tea parties make. Often, it can be their only outing in the month – it’s lovely to see the friendships that are formed and the difference it makes to people, the pleasure they gain, and they really look forward to that Sunday. It expands connections. Re-engage is a wonderful organisation. One person was so lonely and couldn’t believe she had been invited, it made a big difference to her.”
“Viv has been an inspiration to me. I volunteered to be a driver in the Harrow area about 15 yrs ago. But when I retired to the south coast, I decided to continue as a host and driver.”
– Barbara, fellow volunteer
Jennifer is one of our Impact volunteers, and has a house full of pets, including chihuahuas Barry and Barbara! She’s been volunteering since 2017, and her role involves speaking to older people to learn how our services are supporting them.
She explained: “Loneliness and isolation are a real problem; I didn’t realise the scope of it until I joined Re-engage. It’s both heartbreaking and interesting at the same time. Everyone has a story to tell. I once spoke to a gentleman who was in the Rainbow Call Companion service, who said “I have had to live a lie all my life, I’m now speaking to someone, and I can be myself.”
“They are never 'just a phone call' - the calls refuel my day. People are very interesting, I get to talk to people from different walks of life – I do deal with safeguarding incidents, and you have to think of your feet. I have always had customer service roles, I like to help fix things, if I can, I like to challenge myself and like to feel I have done something positive. You never know where the conversations might go; it’s never a dull day!”
“Jen seems to have infinite amount of compassion and patience. Through talking with her, I have learned so much about how to see and feel from the older people's perspective.”
– Sophie, fellow volunteer
Other notable mentions
Choosing just 12 winners was a difficult task, and we wanted to include just a few of the many wonderful testimonies shared about our nominees:
- Janice, Stockton Tea Parties – “She’s not only totally organised and professional, but also empathetic and considerate to everyone.”
- Jean, Westminster Tea Parties – “Through her dedication she has been an inspiration to me, and to most of our group volunteers, over the years...and is a very useful source of knowledge and information about the charity.”
- Jean, Wallace Tea Parties – “She is selfless, committed, and deeply passionate about making a difference.”
- Karen, Enfield and Southgate Tea Parties – “We love her for her generosity and happy demeaner always.”
- Maggie, Thurrock Tea Parties – “Her enthusiasm and dedication to the guests is wonderful to see, and she encourages all around her.”
- Margaret, Cheadle Activity Group – “She is always on the ball in our activity groups making brews, having chats with all the older people, making them feel right at home.”
- Nupur, Sutton Tea Party – “She brings a genuine love and joy to caring for others which is inspiring to see. As well as expanding my waistline, whenever we leave her house, I am topped up with love from her energy and joy she gives to the guests.”
- Rosemary, Doncaster Tea Party – “A constant inspiration, so calm, welcoming, and appreciative.”
- Steven, Glasgow Tea Party – “He reminds me daily of the power of showing up for people, no matter what challenges you face.”
- Vicky, Failsworth Activity Group – “She is reliable, positive, and always willing to come up with ideas even at the last minute to find solutions to problems.”