HWLincs Celebrate Volunteers During Volunteers’ Week 2026
As we celebrate Volunteers’ Week 2026, we want to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you to every volunteer who has supported our work over the past year.
Our volunteers play a vital role in helping us ensure that the voices of Lincolnshire residents are heard. From providing feedback on reports and documents to undertaking desktop research and supporting community engagement activities, their dedication helps us understand what matters most to local people and influences positive change across health and social care services.
Between 2025 and 2026, our volunteers generously contributed an incredible 1,076.5 hours across 197 different activities. Their support has included Board of Trustee activities, Steering Group participation, administration support, Reader Panel involvement, Newshound activities and a wide range of community engagement opportunities.
Thanks to their commitment and passion for improving care, we have gained valuable insights into what is working well and where improvements are needed across our communities.
Making a Difference Across Lincolnshire
This year, our volunteers have:
- Visited people experiencing sensory loss to better understand their experiences of accessing services, highlighting concerns around the availability of translation and communication support.
- Gathered feedback and experiences from people living in Lincolnshire’s semi-rural and coastal communities, ensuring a diverse range of voices are represented.
- Supported colleagues at Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (LPFT) by promoting access to information and services through the How Are You (H.A.Y.) Roadshow.
- Helped develop ongoing relationships with local communities through engagement activities delivered alongside library services and the Connect with a Cuppa initiative.
Every conversation, survey, event and piece of feedback collected by our volunteers contributes to creating better services and stronger communities.
Raising the Profile of Volunteers
Celebrating Carol
Carol has been a Community Champion with Healthwatch Lincolnshire for more than 10 years and is still as enthusiastic as she was on day one! She also is part of the Reader Panel and is our Newshound. Thank you for your continued support to HWLincs.
“Just want to thank you for your support of Horncastle Library this year and how grateful we are for the advice, help and support you have given our library users and the voice you have given them. Carol is really good at engaging with customers.” Sadie Hirst, Library Manager
Celebrating Maria
Maria has been a Community Champion with HWLincs / Healthwatch Lincolnshire for more than 3 years. She is also one of our trained Enter and View Authorised Representatives with knowledge of the adult social care services.
Over the last year, Maria has become a link Community Champion for our Sensory Loss community. Thank you for your dedication and support reaching out to our community.
Celebrating Janet
Janet has been a Volunteer Administrator for around 10 years and can base her volunteering around her home commitments. She also is part of the Reader Panel and participates on a regular basis with desktop research. Not seen by many as a glamourous role, Janet is invaluable with her insights and spreadsheets. Thank you for your ongoing support and insights.
Volunteers at the Heart of Our Work
We asked our team about the importance of volunteers getting involved in our charity and here’s what they said…
“Thank you to our amazing volunteers. Your hard work, commitment and enthusiasm make such a huge difference to our organisation and are the backbone of everything we strive to achieve. We appreciate your contribution very much.” Michele Duggan, Chair, HWLincs
“Volunteers are at the heart of everything we do at HWLincs. Their commitment and dedication to supporting communities across Lincolnshire helps us ensure people’s voices are heard and services continue to improve, making a lasting difference to health and care for everyone.” Dean Odell, Head of Operations HWLincs
“I would like to thank the volunteers for their continued support. I appreciate the time they take to go through our reports and provide feedback.
Their thoughtful feedback ensures our reports are clear and purposeful with information presented in the most impactful and meaningful way.” Hannah Darley, Research and Insight Officer, HWLincs
“Our volunteers enable our organisation is visible in local communities and ensures that these voices and experiences of health and social care are heard by the providers of this care. Thank you for your local engagement and collection of feedback.” Kim Walker, Community Support Officer, HWLincs
“Volunteers bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to the organisation broadening our perspectives and keeping us grounded.” Colin Warren, Project Officer
“I would like to thank our volunteers for their continued commitment to our charity, HWLincs. It has been a pleasure to work alongside them over the last year in our role as Engagement Officer. They have continued to support the charity at a very challenging time and given valuable insight through their dedication and feedback. We could not do what we do without your help.” Oonagh M Quinn Engagement Officer
Whether volunteering in the community, supporting research projects, sharing local intelligence, reviewing documents, or helping behind the scenes, every volunteer contribution makes a difference.