Colleagues and volunteers came together on Monday 1 June to celebrate Volunteers’ Week 2026 CNWL recognising the incredible contribution volunteers make to our services, staff and communities.

The event brought together volunteers, staff and leaders to reflect on achievements over the past year, share feedback, and celebrate the individuals and teams who go above and beyond to make a difference.

Recognising the impact of volunteering

Opening the event, Nuria De Miguel, Volunteer Services Manager thanked volunteers for their “time, energy, compassion, and belief in people,” highlighting the vital role they play in building “a community built on care, inclusion, and hope.”

The past year has been a significant one for volunteering at CNWL. Including:

• Launch of the Trust’s first Volunteer Strategy
• Updates to the Volunteer Policy
• Introduction of a new Volunteer Agreement and Code of Conduct to ensure volunteering remains inclusive, meaningful and embedded across services
• Continued focus on strengthening pathways for people with lived experience , alongside improving support for both volunteers and staff through forums, newsletters and reflective practice groups.

This work has also been recognised externally, with the Volunteer to Career (VTC) programme highly commended at the Mayor of London Adult Education Awards.

Thanking our volunteers

Graeme Caul, Chief Operating Officer closed the celebration by recognising the unique role volunteers play across the Trust, describing their impact as “immeasurable.” He said: 

“Whether you are supporting patients directly, contributing through peer support, helping at events or simply being there to listen — your kindness brings hope, connection and support when it is needed most." 

Volunteer Awards 2026

A highlight of the event was the Volunteer Awards, celebrating individuals and teams whose dedication and compassion have had a lasting impact.

Supervisor Awards

The event also celebrated the essential role of volunteer supervisors in supporting and developing volunteers.

A huge thank you

The celebration concluded with a collective thank you to all volunteers across CNWL.

From supporting patients and carers to strengthening communities and teams, volunteers continue to play a vital role in delivering compassionate care and improving experiences across the Trust.