Rhianna wins the 2025 Helen Johnson Award for Volunteer of the Year
We're thrilled to announce that this year's Helen Johnson Award for Volunteer of the Year has been awarded to Rhianna, a dedicated volunteer at NCH&C Volunteer Service.
Each year, Voluntary Norfolk presents this prestigious award to one outstanding volunteer in recognition of their exceptional contribution and achievements across our services. Nominations are submitted by staff teams from each of its volunteer services, including the NCH&C Volunteer Service, Norfolk & Waveney Community Support Service, East Coast Community Healthcare (ECCH) Volunteer Service, and the Health Transportation Group (HTG) Volunteer Service.
The winner is selected by a panel of current and former Trustees of Voluntary Norfolk, led by its former Chair and the award's namesake, Helen Johnson.
Rhianna began volunteering with NCH&C three years ago as a way to build confidence and improve her employment opportunities. Living with autism, sensory processing disorder, and hypermobility - which requires her to use a stick for balance and support, Rhianna initially needed a high level of structure and additional support in her role.
But in the time since, she has shown remarkable growth. Her confidence has blossomed, her ability to adapt has grown significantly, and she has shown a strong and consistent willingness to take on new challenges. Rhianna is a valued member of the team and an inspiring example of how volunteering can be a pathway to empowerment and personal development.
I would recommend volunteering at NCH&C to anyone because the wonderful staff and other volunteers have made the experience so great for me! Volunteering allows me to meet with people outside of my family unit, as well as keeping me in a stable weekly routine which helps to maintain my mental and physical health. Rhianna
Earlier this week, Chris Towndrow, Services Manager for the NCH&C Volunteer Service, and Louise Coe, Volunteer Coordinator, visited St James to catch up with Rhianna and present her with the well-deserved award. She was joined by Madeline Thurston, Admin Support at St James, and is pictured here proudly accepting the honour.
Chris Towndrow said, Rhianna has made incredible progress and achieved so much in her role. She was absolutely delighted to receive this recognition.
We would also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Madeline and all the NCH&C Volunteer Champions at St James for the ongoing support they provide to Rhianna and all our volunteers.
Rhianna's confidence has grown massively. She used to find it very hard to talk to members of the public, but she is now able to go into the waiting area and speak to patients and visitors! She even helps them to sign in for their appointments on the check in screen, and to register their car registrations. This is a huge step for Rhianna, and this also helps me on reception - if I need to go out and do some printing or collect something, she is confident enough to be left on her own and communicate with a visitor if needed.
She will ask me for some more work to do, which is another positive as it shows Rhianna isn't overwhelmed by the tasks she is doing. She took on making the patient packs as well as printing and folding the contents of them. This again helps me greatly, as I don't have time to make these packs while on reception. Rhianna has also showed a great amount of willing and perseverance. Due to being autistic, she can find some things very overwhelming; for example, if the fire alarm sounds, if there are too many people in reception, if something happens that disrupts her routine etc. However - she has been incredibly pro-active with this. Rhianna can tell/show me if she is feeling overwhelmed, and we come up with a solution together. Sometimes, going into a different, quiet room helps her to relax and concentrate, or going to get a cup of tea. This is a massive step for her, and has helped me learn to recognise when she is feeling this way.
Overall, Rhianna's confidence and communication skills have absolutely flourished. Go Rhianna!! Maddie
Congratulations, Rhianna-and thank you for your dedication and time.