Celebrating Hestia's volunteers at our annual Volunteer Awards 2025

9 June 2025

On 5 June 2025, 85 volunteers, service users, colleagues, and corporate partners came together to celebrate the incredible contributions of Hestia’s volunteers at our annual awards ceremony. 

Volunteering at Hestia is a core part of what we do. In the past year over 1,300 volunteers have generously supported Hestia. They play a vital role in supporting men, women, and children across London and the South East. Volunteering opportunities can involve befriending opportunities and chair yoga to book clubs and art classes - with the aim to bring together individuals from all walks of life, sharing their experience, expertise, and knowledge.

Volunteering team at Hestia

The event opened with an opportunity for volunteers to connect with fellow supporters, Hestia colleagues, corporate partners, and members of the senior leadership team, including the CEO, Directors, and Trustees.

During the ceremony, Hestia's CEO, Patrick Ryan presented the Long Service Awards to volunteers celebrating over five and 15 years of commitment. A Special Recognition Award was also given to Kelsey Dowie from HSBC for her exceptional dedication to corporate volunteering and fundraising efforts. 

This year’s awards saw an unprecedented number of nominations, the highest in the history of the Volunteer Awards, making the shortlisting process incredibly competitive. Every volunteer who supports Hestia is truly deserving of recognition for their dedication and impact. 

Here are the award category winners:

Award category winners

Volunteer of the Year Award

Collaborative Award

Courageous Award

Dedicated Award

Genuine Award

Respectful Award

Supervisor of the Year Award

More special mentions

As well as our amazing volunteers, the night would not have been complete without acknowledging some very special people who have contributed enormously to the volunteering service here at Hestia.

Special congratulations to:

Mary Carroll

Who received the Gold Long Service Award

Sherina Daryanani

Who received the Bronze Long Service Award

Kelsey Downie

Who received the Outstanding Contribution Award

Winston Belgrave

Who received the Special Announcement Award

And finally, thank you to our corporate partners

Finally Gayle Lowery-Jones, Executive Director of Development, introduced and thanked our corporate partners, HSBC, Bird & Bird, Kingfisher, Tokio Marine HCC, BCD, Virgin, and Royal Mail Group, who proudly presented each of the seven awards.

Volunteer of the Year award winner, Chloe Huttner alongside Elizabeth Lang, Partner and Selina Purcell, Diversity, Inclusion & CSR Manager at Bird & Bird

The Volunteer Awards event was described as the “highlight of the Hestia calendar,” bringing joy and inspiration to all who attended.