VOLUNTEERS across Essex have been acknowledged for their selfless commitment to communities across the county at the Who Will Care? Awards 2018.

The prestigious awards took place on Wednesday 23 May at Anglia Ruskin University and celebrated inspirational individuals, communities, teams and businesses in Essex that make a huge difference through the work that they do.

Winners included charities helping the homeless, a youth club that focuses on shielding young people from drugs and alcohol, a young hospital volunteer who is much admired by staff and patients, a community events team that lays on a year round calendar of activities, and others whose commitment to their communities, over the decades was recognised.

The Awards, presented by BBC Essex’s Dave Monk, applauded these unsung heroes’ inspirational stories of volunteering.

Cabinet Member for Culture and Communities, Cllr Sue Lissimore said: “The range of the volunteering undertaken by all of the finalists at the awards, and indeed all those nominated, illustrates the variety of ways that as individuals we can make a difference not only within our local community, but also to an individual’s life.”

“I would like to say well done to everyone recognised at the awards and also extend this to the many people, groups and businesses in Essex involved in volunteering- you are a real inspiration to us all.”

‘Who Will Care?’ began in 2013 when five independent Commissioners were tasked with tackling the single largest challenge since the 1960’s – how will we care for ourselves and our communities right now and in the future and volunteering was acknowledged as one of the five high-impact solutions to address this very difficult question.

These awards were created to celebrate the mobilisation of vibrant communities and individuals that are supporting each other and to recognise and stimulate volunteering in Essex.

For more information visit www.essex.gov.uk/whowillcare or visit www.volunteeressex.org for volunteering opportunities in the county.