Oakhaven Volunteers receive achievement awards during National Volunteers Week

Five volunteers have been recognised for outstanding achievement in the 2026 Oakhaven Hospice Volunteer Achievement Awards.

National Volunteers Week, from 1st to 7th June 2026, provided the perfect opportunity for the trustees and staff of Oakhaven Hospice to thank over 450 volunteers who willingly give their time and expertise to support the hospice.

The charity held two special afternoon tea events to celebrate its volunteers, the first held in a marquee in the beautiful gardens of the Hospice, and the second at St John’s Church Hall in Hythe.

Oakhaven’s Chair of Trustees, Melville Kendal, thanked all the Oakhaven volunteers for their support - helping at the hospice, in the Coates Centre, in patients’ homes across the New Forest, Totton and Waterside community and helping the charity’s shops and events.

He said, “We really appreciate everything that our Volunteers do. THANK YOU for helping Oakhaven to make every moment matter.”

Leading up to the event, staff and volunteers were able to make nominations for the annual Volunteer Achievement Awards. The Awards are based on the Trust’s values of Compassion, Accountability, Respect and Empathy. Plus an award for Individual Achievement.

Congratulations to the 2026 winners of the Oakhaven Hospice Volunteer Achievement Awards:

• The Award for Compassion was presented to Gillian Hill, who volunteers in the Day Hospice kitchen.
• The Award for Accountability was presented to Linda Stevenson, who volunteers for Oakhaven’s Inpatient Unit and also serves as a Patient Safety Partner Volunteer.
• The Award for Respect was presented to Pam Hyde, who volunteers in the Day Hospice kitchen.
• The Award for Empathy was presented to Bill Miles, who volunteers as a driver.

An Award for Individual Achievement was awarded to James, who volunteers in the Oakhaven Retail team, identifying high-value pieces to sell on eBay, at auction houses and with specialised dealers to optimise the funds raised for the hospice.

New this year is a Team Award, recognising a volunteer team that demonstrates excellent teamwork, mutual support and a shared commitment to making a meaningful difference. The Complementary Therapy Volunteer Team received this award for providing an outstanding and essential service within the Hospice, delivering high‑quality complementary therapies and relaxation to patients and carers across outpatient clinics, home visits, the Inpatient Unit, and the Day Hospice.

In addition, all winners have been recognised with a Room To Reward Award for being hidden heroes for Oakhaven. Room to Reward is a unique volunteer-recognition charity created to say ‘thank you’ to their hidden heroes – inspirational volunteers who give up their time to make a difference to those who need it most. Room to Reward partners with hotels across the UK to offer complimentary one or two-night stays to nominated volunteers.

A number of volunteers also received recognition for over five years of service, with some volunteering for over 25 and even 30 years for Oakhaven.

The Oakhaven family is always looking for more volunteers to help in a variety of roles, for more information about volunteering for Oakhaven Hospice, please visit www.oakhavenhospice.co.uk/volunter, call 01590 670346 or email volunteering@oakhavenhospice.co.uk.