Do you know someone who gives their time freely to make others’ lives better? Do you know of an organisation that makes a valuable contribution to community life?

The Powys Volunteer of the Year Awards 2019 nominations are now open. Now in its ninth year the awards celebrate the invaluable contribution made by volunteers throughout Powys, and the impact that they have.

Volunteers from around the county have previously been recognised by the competition for their exceptional commitment and selflessness in their volunteering activities; including supporting the village shop, coaching at the local rugby club and assisting refugees to integrate into the community.

Alan Owen with Dame Shân Legge-Bourke

Last year’s Health & Wellbeing award winner was Alan Owen, also known as ‘Mr Newtown Rugby Club’, who has volunteered at the club for more than 25 years. He volunteers five or six times a week by managing the Club’s Junior section by arranging matches, training, feeding and transporting more than 150 players. Alan’s nominator said: “His commitment to the club and especially the young people is absolutely vital in the development of young players, male and female. He certainly inspires others to achieve.

“He is without question the foundation on which the club’s past and future success is built.”

Machynlleth-based CAMAD with Dame Shân Legge-Bourke

Community Action Machynlleth and District (CAMAD), a volunteering organisation that offers services to older and vulnerable people in the Dyfi Valley, won the 2018 Health & Wellbeing Group award. The highly valued service offers Meals on Wheels, Pathway mental health drop-in session, a community car service, and a lunch club and much more.

CAMAD’s nominator Angela Edwards said: “The volunteers enjoy their work and get a lot out of giving back to their local community. The recipients feel supported and it promotes a feeling of care and dedication in the local community. If every volunteer puts in a few hours a week it mounts up and is really appreciated by the less able members of the local community”.

Carl Cooper, Chief Executive of Powys Association of Voluntary Organisations (PAVO) said:

“The competition is entering its ninth year and gives residents of Powys an opportunity to acknowledge the important contribution of volunteers in their local communities, be it from individual volunteers or from volunteer groups. PAVO is committed to supporting and proud to champion volunteering in Powys.”

Further information and nomination forms are available online from the PAVO website www.pavo.org.uk or by phoning PAVO on 01597 822191.

Closing date for nominations is Friday, February 1