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Celebrating Our Volunteers: A Big Win at the Stronger Communities Awards
What a fantastic evening it was to come together with inspiring individuals and organisations from across Darlington to celebrate the Stronger Communities Awards on Friday! This annual event shines a spotlight on the amazing contributions individuals and organisations make to strengthen our communities, and we were proud to be among those recognised.
A Team of Dedicated Volunteers
At RSACC, we are incredibly fortunate to have a dedicated team of 26 volunteers who support the provision of our counselling service, group offer, and exclusively run the emotional support services. Of these 26, three are also RSACC staff members who generously volunteer additional time to our centre. Every member of our team plays an essential role in creating a supportive and safe space for survivors of sexual violence. Each volunteer brings unique skills and compassion to our centre, contributing to the life-changing services we offer.
Celebrating Our Exceptional Nominees
This year, we were thrilled to see two of our volunteers, Susan and Abi, shortlisted for the Exceptional Volunteer Award, which was sponsored by the Durham Police and Crime Commissioners Office. Over the course of their time with us, both Susan and Abi have grown tremendously, fully embracing every volunteer role with passion, commitment, and a sincere desire to help others. Not only have they excelled in their direct work with survivors – providing regular support on the emotional support email and phone lines, co-facilitating groups, and making outgoing support calls to survivors – but they’ve also become integral in training and mentoring new volunteers.
A Win for Both of Them!
In a night full of heartwarming stories, Susan and Abi stood out, impressing the judges with their dedication and impact. In a wonderful twist, they both won the Exceptional Volunteer
Award! This decision was the only shared award of the night, underscoring just how exceptional their contributions have been. It was a joy to see their hard work and passion recognised on such a meaningful stage.
A Platform for Awareness
While the evening was a beautiful celebration of individual achievements, it was also an opportunity to raise awareness about the vital work RSACC does for survivors of sexual violence with a new audience. The awards are a testament to how each volunteer, by bringing care and dedication to their role, build a stronger, more supportive community.
Connecting with Community Leaders
One of the evening’s highlights was meeting with new Labour MP, Lola McEvoy, who expressed her strong commitment to understanding the needs of Darlington and learning from specialist services like RSACC. Her enthusiasm for advocating for meaningful change inspired everyone, as did the ongoing support from Mayor and Mayoress of Darlington, who have chosen RSACC as their charity of the year. The night offered a unique opportunity to share our vision with these key community leaders and reinforce how vital our work is to Darlington.
Gratitude and Congratulations
Congratulations to Susan and Abi, and a huge thank you to each of our volunteers. We are deeply grateful for everything they do. Together, they make a lasting difference in the lives of survivors and help to build a community where people feel supported, and valued. This award is a tribute not only to Abi and Susan but to our entire RSACC team and the powerful impact of volunteering.
Here’s to celebrating more inspiring moments and people in the future!