Suffolk Libraries, the charity that runs the library service in Suffolk, has been rewarding the massive contribution of its many volunteers at a special awards event.
The third Suffolk Libraries People’s Champions Awards was held at Woodbridge Library on 8 June.
The event recognises the massive contribution volunteers make to the work of Suffolk Libraries across the county. Awards were presented in a number of categories, marking the huge diversity and impact of volunteering roles across the library service.
Suffolk Libraries staff and friends’ groups have been nominating volunteers across a number of categories over the past few months.
Diane Muirhead, Suffolk Libraries Volunteer Engagement Manager, said:
“We were delighted to celebrate the fantastic work that volunteers do to support Suffolk Libraries. Our many friends’ groups, the Summer Reading Challenge and our Home Library Service all rely on volunteers so they really are vital to the work we do across communities and the impact we have. The People’s Champions Awards are a way of acknowledging this contribution.”
Suffolk Libraries currently has 1,262 registered volunteers. In the 2022-23 library volunteers dedicated just under 31,300 hours of time to Suffolk Libraries which is an increase of 42% from the previous year.
The winners of the Suffolk Libraries People’s Champions Awards 2023 were as follows:
Winner: Rhodie Parish from the Proud Pages group at Beccles Library. Rhodie was instrumental in starting the Proud Pages group for LGBTQIA+ young people at the library. Rhodie has worked very closely with Chloe who works in the library and their energies have combined to make the group a great success with ten young people now attending.
Isaac Withers who runs a coding club at Ixworth Library was also given a special commendation and Greta Samonskyte who volunteers at Felixstowe Library was also shortlisted.
Winner: Howard Simpson from Debenham Library Friends Group for coordinating a successful ‘Heavy Metal’ event collecting and selling scrap metal items such as old bicycles and fridges which raised £1,900 for the friends’ group.
Alex Brain who volunteers at Great Cornard Library and Natasha O’Brien who volunteers at Saxmundham Library were also shortlisted.
Winner: Thomas Spashett, who volunteers at Beccles Library. Despite struggling with severe anxiety, Thomas is committed to volunteering at the library once a week and he described as ‘an absolute star’. He has pushed himself and made going out a priority and his determination to return to volunteer with the library is greatly admired by Beccles Library staff.
Chloe Peck who volunteers at Capel St Mary Library and Mark Corker who volunteers at Kessingland Library were also shortlisted.
Winner: The Framlingham Volunteering Crew. This team have helped with everything from shelving and stock checking, the launch of a public art gallery, running a market stall, displays, children’s craft activities, delivering the Home Library Service and much more. The crew includes young volunteers that run regular craft and LEGO-based activities, creating attractive displays and materials for children and adults.
The Stowmarket Coding Team and Aldeburgh Library Foundation were also shortlisted.
Winner: Parvin Malique who volunteers at Long Melford Library. Parvin started volunteering at a very challenging time, with the library moving to new challenging premises. Parvin came in to help the library manager set up almost every single morning. Her positivity, camaraderie and willingness to help helped the manager from feeling overwhelmed by the situation and he admits he would have struggled to get through this period without her help.
Sally Withers from Ixworth Library was also given a special commendation in this category for her inspirational contribution despite serious ill health.
Fran Hartley from Chantry Library Friends group and Donald Russell who is a Home Library Service volunteer at Beccles Library were also shortlisted.
This award is given to a member of Suffolk Libraries staff for their support given to volunteers.
Winner: Sue Baker, Manager of Glemsford Library. Sue is always thinking of ways to support as many individuals and groups as possible within the community and has an incredible ability to initiate events and also recognise ones that will be popular.
Katharine Liu, Capel St Mary Library Manager and Maureen John, Debenham Library Manager were also shortlisted.
Winner: David Grugeon from the Aldeburgh Library Foundation who is retiring from his current role as chairman. David has been involved in the foundation since it was set up in 2012 and played an instrumental role in the success and contribution of this group. Aldeburgh Library Foundation was formed in August 2012 and has run hundreds of adult courses and raised over £120,000 to support the library and fund significant refurbishments to benefit the local community.
The evening was compered by Suffolk Libraries patron and former BBC Radio Suffolk presenter Lesley Dolphin. The awards were presented by Bruce Leeke, Chief Executive of Suffolk Libraries; Krystal Vittles, Deputy CEO of Suffolk Libraries, Bobby Bennett, Suffolk County Council Cabinet Member for Equality and Communities; Debra Reay, Suffolk Libraries Chair; Lynn Warner, former Engagement Manager at East of England Co-op and Melanie Craig, CEO of Suffolk Community Foundation.
Suffolk Libraries is currently recruiting volunteers to help run this year’s Summer Reading Challenge. For more information about this and other volunteering roles with Suffolk Libraries, visit our volunteer page.
