Chelmsford celebrates voluntary sector with charity update event and awards

On Tuesday 30 January, Chelmsford Council for Voluntary Service (CVS) held its Charity Update and Networking Meeting in Chelmsford Cathedral in the presence of the Mayor of Chelmsford, Councillor Linda Mascot.

Reflecting on a challenging year for the voluntary sector

Nick Eveleigh and Councillor Stephen Robinson speak at the Chelmsford CVS Charity Update event.

More than 100 charity leaders, community organisers, health professionals, and dignitaries gathered to hear presentations from Councillor Stephen Robinson, Leader of Chelmsford City Council; Nick Eveleigh, CEO of Chelmsford City Council; Ben Hughes Head of Wellbeing & Public Health for Essex County Council; and Andy Payne Worpole, Head of Programmes at Essex Community Foundation.

Andy Payne Worpole and Ben Hughes presenting at the event in Chelmsford Cathedral.

Chief Officer of Chelmsford CVS, Lorraine Jarvis, opened the meeting by reflecting on the last few years of development and change, and the challenges navigated by our city’s voluntary sector. She then thanked all present for their hard work and compassion during difficult times.

Lorraine said:

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“Every day I am blown away by the dedication, passion and sheer hard work that I see. Your resilience is astonishing. Every day I’m privileged to share your hopes, your energy, your dedication to a myriad of causes. I want to give thanks to all of you. Our incredible voluntary sector; staff and volunteers.”

Lorraine Jarvis, Chief Officer, Chelmsford Council for Voluntary Service

Chelmsford 4 Good certificates presented to local companies

On behalf of the CVS, the Mayor of Chelmsford then presented four Chelmsford 4 Good certificates of appreciation and thanks to local companies who have been outstanding in their support of good causes.

The certificates were presented to:

• Chandlers Material Supplies – Lauren Chandler, Joshua Perez-Mosley
• John Lewis, Community Matters Team – Emma Dillard
• Meadow Croft Garden Centre – Michael Smith
• Caffe Marconi – Ayesha Rahman

Michael Smith of Meadow Croft Garden Centre and Ayesha Rahman of Caffe Marconi accept their certificates from the Mayor of Chelmsford.

The mayor congratulated the winners, and thanked them and all at the Chelmsford Council for Voluntary Service for their continued contributions to their local community:

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“It was a great honour to present the CVS Chelmsford 4 Good Awards at Chelmsford Cathedral. Volunteers, voluntary sector organisations across Chelmsford and the entire team at CVS work tirelessly to help address inequality of services, and to support those in need – from disadvantaged families to people living with disabilities.

“Their effort makes this city such a great place to live and work in, and I give my heartfelt thanks for everything they do.”

Councillor Linda Mascot, Mayor of Chelmsford

Emma Dillard from the John Lewis Community Matters Team and Lauren Chandler and Joshua Perez-Mosley from Chandlers Material Supplies accept Chelmsford 4 Good certificates from the mayor.

Nominations now open for the Mayor’s Awards for Voluntary Service 2024

This week the Mayor’s Awards for Voluntary Service 2024 also launched. Administered by CVS, the awards began ten years ago in 2014, and recognise people who have made an exceptional contribution to local voluntary action in the city centre, in villages and in South Woodham Ferrers.

CVS are asking people across Chelmsford to nominate those who have given their time and energy to support local charities, voluntary and community activity over the past year. Nominations are open until 30 April 2024 in the following categories:

• Outstanding contribution – Adult
• Outstanding contribution – Young person
• Outstanding contribution – Team

The winners will be chosen by a panel chaired by the Mayor of Chelmsford, and the awards will be formally presented at an event in the Mayor’s Parlour, Civic Centre, in May 2024.

Visit the CVS website to make a nomination.