Dedicated volunteers nominated for recognition in upcoming Stockport awards
We are delighted to announce that volunteers from the Together Trust charity have been nominated for the Stockport Rocks Awards 2024. The Stockport Rocks Awards are organised by Sector 3, an organisation that supports the voluntary, community, faith-based, and social enterprise (VCFSE) sectors across Stockport.
Our horticulture enthusiast, Tom Hatton-Jones, is a finalist for the Young Volunteer of the Year Award, while our Volunteer Drivers are contenders for the Volunteering Team of the Year Award.
Sarah Jenkinson, Facilitator at Bridge College, praises Tom as a dedicated horticulture enthusiast who cares for plants and nurtures our students with his wisdom and patience. His dedication and positive disposition have genuinely transformed our horticulture program at Bridge College, where we offer specialist education for students aged 16 to 25 with learning difficulties, disabilities, special health needs and autism.
"If he can't make it one day, he'll come in another day that week. He has built such a lovely relationship with staff and students; they look forward to him coming in. When Tom does have to occasionally swap his days, students still access the greenhouse at lunchtime with their support staff, which is amazing," shares Sarah.
Tom has been a star supporting Bridge College for over a year, clocking in more than 350 hours. Initially, the young volunteer was just helping with the plants, but now supports the students, who love learning from him.
The Together Trust charity's Volunteer Driver Team is the newest addition to our charity's volunteering efforts. Currently, the group comprises ten dedicated volunteers, with three more soon to join. They play a crucial role in safely transporting our vulnerable children and young people to important places, such as school, work experience, sports tournaments, educational trips, and collecting donations. Over the first quarter of 2024, they completed 131 journeys, with one volunteer collecting a remarkable 156 boxes of donated goods in January alone.
The volunteer drivers also support autistic children by helping them explore the wider community, promoting their understanding of the world and fostering independence. In addition, they guide our looked-after children in honing social skills and provide them with positive role models by demonstrating the power of giving back to the community. Their patience and flexibility are exceptional, and they adapt to unexpected changes and willingly participate in regular training.
Although the Together Trust charity requests a single journey per week, many volunteers often exceed this, some undertaking 8-10 journeys per week.
Our shortlisted nominees are invited to the Awards at Edgeley Park on Tuesday, 21 May, where they'll enjoy a two-course sit-down meal, entertainment and, of course, the chance to win an award.
The Together Trust charity is proud of our volunteer workforce, whose hard work and commitment have not gone unnoticed in the community.