Runnymede & Spelthorne Volunteer Awards 2026: Celebrating Our Community Heroes

On Tuesday 9 June we held our annual Runnymede & Spelthorne Volunteer Awards, in partnership with Royal Holloway, University of London. It was a wonderful evening of celebration and recognition, honouring the fantastic work done by volunteers across Runnymede and Spelthorne.

We were delighted to welcome 230 guests, including volunteers, nominators, dignitaries and university staff, representing over 70 different groups from across both boroughs. A special thank you to Surplus to Supper, who provided the catering, which also enabled 220 free community meals for people most in need.

The evening featured an inspiring keynote address from Debra Allcock Tyler, CEO of the Directory of Social Change, whose words set a powerful tone for the celebration that followed. We are enormously grateful to Debra for giving her time and sharing her insight with our guests.

Our Chair, Helen Frary, opened proceedings by noting that this year saw a record number of nominations - a wonderful reflection of the depth of volunteering talent across our communities. Helen also acknowledged that this will likely be the last year the awards are held in this format, as we look ahead to local government reform and the creation of the new West Surrey Council. We were also honoured to be joined by the Mayor of Runnymede, Cllr Steve Ringham, and the Mayor of Spelthorne, Cllr Sandra Dunn, who presented awards to the deserving winners on the night.

This year's winners were:

• Unsung Hero Award (joint winners): Chris Perry, Queen Mary Sailing Club, and Maggie Merry, Bumps & Babes
• Inspirational Volunteer Award Runnymede: Linda Emmett, The Hub Englefield Green
• Inspirational Volunteer Award Spelthorne: Karen Coy, Spelthorne Dementia Support
• New Volunteer Award: Arthi Natesan, Home-Start Spelthorne
• Fundraiser of the Year Award (joint winners): Debbie Garland and Darren West, Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal
• Volunteer Team Award: Friends of White Lodge
• Engagement in the Community Award: Stanhope-Seta
• Young Volunteer Award (new category this year): Joseph Vaughan, Access Adventure
• Long Service Award (10+ years): We were delighted once again to recognise every volunteer who has given ten or more years of service to their community — including Michael O'Sullivan of Chertsey Combined Charities, who has given an extraordinary 50 years, and Julia Gibbs and Nick Pollard of Spelthorne Museum and Archaeology and Local History Group, who have each given 45 years.

This event could not happen without our partners at Royal Holloway Volunteering, whose support and dedication make the evening run so seamlessly. Thank you.

We would also like to extend our warmest thanks to our Chair, Helen Frary, who presented our awards with her customary warmth and dedication - and who, as a volunteer herself, is a wonderful embodiment of everything we celebrated on the night.

Finally, a huge congratulations and heartfelt thank you to every winner and nominee. Without you, so many organisations would struggle to carry out their vital work. No matter how much time you give, your impact is immeasurable. With every act of volunteering, you touch a life — and our communities are better because of you.

New ‘Chatty Benches’ Bring People Together 

This year we marked Loneliness Awareness Week (15 – 21 June) with the official launch of two new ‘chatty benches’, designed to encourage people to sit, connect and chat with others in their local community. 

The benches are connected to VSNS’s befriending scheme, Time to Talk, which supports isolated and lonely people in North West Surrey. The chatty bench concept is based on a growing national movement to create welcoming public spaces where strangers feel comfortable striking up a conversation, helping to reduce the isolation that affects millions of people across the UK. 

Both benches were built by volunteers at local Men’s Sheds groups. The Camberley bench was built by volunteers at Camberley & District Men’s Shed, using high-quality hardwood donated by Travis Perkins, Woking. Terry, the volunteer member who built the bench, said: “It’s a pleasure to build something worthwhile and for a good cause. Using good quality, hard-wearing wood made the whole thing even better.” 

The project came together thanks to the connections of Tom, a volunteer member at the Men’s Shed and trustee of Camberley Bowling Club, who saw an opportunity to site one of the benches at the club’s bowling green. It now takes pride of place alongside the other benches around the green, a spot where people already come to sit, watch the bowls, chat and enjoy lunch together. 

The second bench was crafted by volunteers at Men’s Shed Chertsey, with Rob Marshall leading on the project, using wood donated by PTL Sunbury. It has found a beautiful home in the wildlife garden at Chertsey Library, a peaceful, welcoming spot. The library team will be responsible for the ongoing maintenance of the bench. 

Phil Woodland, Trustee at Camberley & District Men’s Shed, played a key role in liaising on the project and will oversee the ongoing upkeep and maintenance of the bench on behalf of the club. 

Our Time to Talk Befriending Manager Elaine said: “Loneliness Awareness Week shines a spotlight on the issue of loneliness and encourages people to take small but meaningful steps to connect with one another. We hope the benches will serve as a visible reminder that a simple conversation can make a real difference to someone’s day. 

“Research shows that loneliness can increase the risk of depression, anxiety, high blood pressure, heart disease, and dementia. Our Time to Talk befriending service addresses this through regular social interaction, playing a crucial role in improving people’s quality of life. Time to Talk ensures that no one in North West Surrey has to face loneliness alone.” 

Fundraising training welcomed by local groups

We had some lovely comments after our Digital Fundraising course this month:

"The course was extremely helpful for anybody in the charity sector looking to run a digital fundraising campaign or to improve their current campaign." - Phil

"The course helped to identify gaps in my knowledge about the subject I hadn't thought about. A great course for updating my knowledge and to learn from other participants about their experiences in fundraising." – Paul SHAC

"Alison is an exceptional trainer. She clearly knows her subject inside out yet manages to make the course relevant and accessible for all organisations present. An incredible resource for local charities. Thank you." – Sally Homestart Runnymede and Woking

Fundraising training was a key area of need identified by Surrey groups in Surrey Community Action's State of the Sector report. We run a variety of fundraising courses throughout the year. Future training courses are listed below in this newsletter - and don't forget to sign up to our monthly fundraising newsletter for more fundraising-related news, events and the latest funds.

Exploring Assistive Technology at Runnymede and Spelthorne Older People's Forum

Members of the Runnymede and Spelthorne Older People's Forum had the opportunity to explore a range of assistive technology at this month's meeting.

Louise Rapsom from Surrey County Council's Technology Enabled Care Team brought in a selection of equipment for members to look through, including trackers, smart medication dispensers, and motion sensors. She also demonstrated smart technology that works alongside Alexa-type devices, such as automated curtain closers, showing how these tools can support independent living at home.

The forum also welcomed Stephen Mortimer-Cleevely from Spelthorne Borough Council, who spoke about the Spelthorne Healthy Communities Partnership Board and its work in the local area.

The meeting was very well received by those who attended. Anne Damerell, an older person and representative of many local charities, commented, "It was a marvellous meeting and so helpful to see the technology available."

The next forum will take place on Thursday 17 September, 11am–12:30pm. Venue and speakers are to be confirmed.

Updated guidance on data privacy and fundraising

The Fundraising Regulator has published new guidance to help charities handle personal data correctly when fundraising.

Getting data privacy wrong can harm the people whose data is involved, damage public trust in charities, and risk enforcement action from the Information Commissioner's Office.

Coming nearly a decade after GDPR came into force, the updated resource takes into account recent changes to data protection law, including the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025, and is designed to help organisations stay compliant with the Fundraising Code of Practice.

Celebrating volunteering during Volunteers Week

We celebrated Volunteers Week this year with a colourful display in our Chertsey office window. During the week, we also promoted volunteering and our befriending service Time to Talk at Chertsey Library and Egham Artisan Market.

The week was rounded off with our wonderful celebration at Royal Holloway for the Runnymede and Spelthorne Volunteer Awards.

It's a week worth marking, to say thank you to our volunteers and to spread the word about volunteering. We continue to promote volunteering through the year - at face-to-face events such as Staines-upon-Thames Day, which takes place at the end of this month, and through online campaigns. Do tag us in any social media posts where you're promoting volunteering too - we will always share where we can.

“Young volunteers bring energy, fun, enthusiasm and honesty” 

During Volunteers Week, we shared Tamzin's volunteering story. Tamzin has been volunteering at Families Thriving Together for six months. Aged just 15 years, she began her volunteering journey with Brownies in Shepperton, where she has been volunteering for three years, helping to organise activities and trips weekly. 

Since joining Families Thriving Together, she has helped with fundraising and Christmas events, including at her local garden centre, helped run the tombola stall, and chatted to local people, spreading the word about the charity.  There is always an adult on hand for support if needed. 

We're always keen to feature volunteers' stories. If you have a volunteer who would like to encourage others to volunteer, please get in touch.

From War to Welcome: stories from Ukrainian refugees in Runnymede

This year's theme for Refugee Week was courage: the courage to face the unknown, learn new languages and navigate unfamiliar systems. world. And the courage to come together and welcome and celebrate culture and community.

This theme reflects Chertsey Museum's new exhibition, curated by our Ukrainian Support Manager Oksana. "From War to Welcome" looks at the challenges of leaving home and adapting to life in a new country, and highlights the support provided by local people who welcomed newcomers.

Runnymede Borough Council said: "The exhibition offers a powerful insight into the human stories behind the conflict and celebrates the strength, hope and determination of those who have made Runnymede their home."

"From War to Welcome" will be open at Chertsey Museum.

Spelthorne Food Bank Network's Social Value 2025 Report 

Spelthorne Food Bank Network's Report covers five local food banks - Manna (Staines), Salvation Army (Ashford), Bags of Food (Shepperton), St Saviour's (Sunbury), and Stanwell - plus Surplus to Supper, a surplus food distributor based in Sunbury.

The network does far more than hand out groceries. Between them, the food banks also provide clothes, furniture, fuel vouchers, toys, cooked meals, meetings/activities, and surplus food distribution.

The report highlights that in 2025:

• 4,099 emergency food parcels were distributed, providing an estimated 140,701 meals to 2,288 unique households, worth £283,089
• 359,220kg (over 350 tonnes) of surplus food distributed via Surplus to Supper, worth an estimated £797,468 and equivalent to 855,286 meals
• Nearly 500 volunteers gave a combined 63,277 hours, valued at £949,149 (based on £15/hour)
• Total social value: just over £2 million - against Council funding of only £214,000

Two anonymised case studies (Jane and Paul) illustrate the human impact: both faced food insecurity, isolation, and health/mental health challenges, and were supported through food bank referrals into wider services (CAB, community centres, mental health support, community cookery projects). Outcomes included reduced food bank reliance, better access to food, and improved confidence, connection, and sense of purpose.

As the new West Surrey council is established, the network wants to:

• Ensure its contribution is recognised and funding protected
• Advocate for the Spelthorne model as a strong template
• Maintain and expand tech support
• Understand how best to link with the new authority

New Men's Movement Class Launches in Stanwell

A new weekly activity session for men is now running in Stanwell, and organisers are hoping local charities and community groups can help spread the word.

Men's Movement Class takes place every Tuesday at 5pm at Congregational Church Hall, Viscount Road, Stanwell, TW19 7RD. The session is completely free, with no booking required, and all fitness levels are welcome. Participants are asked to bring an exercise mat and a towel if they can.

The class is part of a wider push to get men in the local community moving, connecting, and supporting one another. As well as building strength, mobility, resilience and vitality, the sessions are designed to be a space where men can socialise and form real friendships - led by a man, for men.

The initiative is being championed by Neil Wates, Community Activator for Stanwell, who has had numerous requests for this kind of group since joining Active Surrey over the past year. The class is a partnership between Families First, Places Leisure, Active Surrey, and Spelthorne Family Centres.

If your organisation produces a newsletter, social media content, or community bulletin, please consider sharing details of the Men's Movement Class with your networks. Any support in spreading the word will be gratefully received.

Free First Aid Training

Gain the skills and confidence to help in an emergency. British Red Cross is offering free First Aid training on the following dates:

• Tues 7 July 2026 – 18:30-20:30, Staines Library​
• Tues 15 Sept 2026 – 18:30-20:30, Godalming Library

Please note this course is designed to improve confidence and skillsbut is not a formal first aid qualification. 

Faith Charities Forum 2026: Early Bird Tickets Available

The Faith Charities Forum 2026, organised by Civil Society Media, takes place in London on 9 September and is designed specifically for senior leaders and decision-makers in faith-based organisations.

This year's programme focuses on ethics and risk, policymaking and partnership, and mission in practice, with speakers from FaithAction, the Muslim Charities Forum, Tearfund and the Charity Commission.

 Early bird tickets - saving £150 on the full price - are available until 3 July.

Proving Your Value to Funders - 16 July 2026

Writing a funding bid isn’t just about filling in a form; it’s about crafting a compelling story that funders want to be a part of.

It’s about making a compelling case for support, one that moves beyond good intentions to clearly show why your work matters. It’s about showing that no one else is already doing it for the community you support, evidencing the need, proving how and why it works, the change it is already making for individuals and in relieving demands on wider local resources, and the reasons it deserves backing for ongoing and increased impact.

Proving Your Value to Funders is a practical, insight-driven course designed to help you transform your funding applications into powerful stories of change.

The course will help you:

• Move beyond telling a funder your project will make a difference and show them how and why it already does with real-world examples
• Present your work as a compelling story of change, addressing the challenges and issues the funder cares about
• Back up your ambition with meaningful facts, figures, lived experience and evidence of the benefits through case studies
• Using data effectively (without overwhelming the reader)
• Connect emotionally while staying professional
• Demonstrate how your work reduces pressure on other services and the community, how it prevents escalation and crisis and illustrates long-term change
• Position your organisation as a credible, investable partner
• Present outcomes clearly, concisely and confidently so they feel confident in you and what you’re telling them!

Who this course is for

• Charity and community organisation leaders
• Social enterprise founders close to launch or those contemplating a community project
• Bid writers and fundraisers
• Anyone responsible for securing funding

Whether you’re new to bid writing or looking to strengthen your success rate, this course will help you present your project and organisation with clarity and credibility.

By the end of the course, we hope that you won’t just be asking for funding, you’ll be inviting funders to invest in meaningful, measurable change.

Please note: this training is now full. Contact Alison to join the waitlist or ask us to run this training on a future date.

Runnymede and Spelthorne Older People's Forum – 17 September 2026

Our quarterly Runnymede and Spelthorne Older People's Forum will next meet on Thursday 17 September, 11am–12:30pm. Venue and speakers are to be confirmed.

This event is for anyone based in or operating across Runnymede or Spelthorne who works for an organisation with a connection to older people (there’s no defined age but approximately 55+), whether your focus is tackling isolation, age-related physical or mental health or another service.

If you’re interested in attending, please contact Elaine for more details.

Charity Networking Event - 18 September, Enterprise House Egham

Our next Charity Networking Event will be held this September in Egham.

These events are designed to bring together local organisations and community groups. This event is a great opportunity to share what your organisation does, connect with others in the sector, and explore new opportunities for collaboration.

Speakers for our September event will be announced shortly.

Social Media Marketing and Remarketing for Community Building - 21 September 2026

This workshop explores how to strategically use social media to attract, engage, and retain audiences through authentic community building. We will look at what is a reasonable expectation from your efforts, what kind of goals to set and how to achieve them. We will also cover the technique of growing an email list from your social media and website, and the fundamentals of remarketing, leveraging repetition and targeted messaging to really engage followers and subscribers  

By the end of the course, you will understand how to integrate social media, email marketing, and remarketing strategies into a cohesive system to nurture relationships and boost their engagement.

Key Topics: 

• Designing social media content that captures your target audience 
• Achieving engagement and building an online community  
• Growing and managing an email list effectively 
• Creating remarketing campaigns that reinforce brand awareness through repetition 
• Nurturing closer connections and longer-term relationships 

Recruiting and Manager Volunteers
NOTE: Change of date: 8 October, 10am - 3pm

This workshop is aimed at voluntary organisations who want to improve how they recruit and manage volunteers, and establish good practices to help retain the volunteers that they have.

Areas covered during the workshop are:

• Evaluating and planning the recruitment process
• Advertising and promoting your volunteer opportunities
• What should be included in a volunteer policy/agreement
• Understanding what motivates and de-motivates volunteers
• Methods of recognising and rewarding volunteers.

Training and Networking Events 2026

Proving Your Value to Funders - 16 July, 10am - 12noon

Runnymede and Spelthorne Older People's Forum - 17 September, 11am - 12.30pm

Charity Networking Event - 18 September, 10am - 12noon

Social Media Marketing and Remarketing for Community Building - 21 September, 9.30am - 12.30pm

Recruiting and Manager Volunteers - 8 October, 10am - 3pm

Summer Events 2026

Staines upon Thames Day - Sunday 28 June, 11am - 5pm

Strawberry Fair, Bisley - Sunday 28 June