More than 170 people came together on Friday night to celebrate the incredible spirit of volunteering across the Dorset Council area at the Volunteer Celebration Evening 2025, hosted by Volunteer Centre Dorset.
Over 40 organisations were represented during the evening, including The Big Yellow Bus Project, Weymouth and Portland Marine Litter Project, Dorset Menopause Support CIC – and even some four-legged volunteers from Guide Dogs Southwest.
The evening was compered by local poet and author Laurence Lagrue, who entertained guests and shared moving stories of community spirit, kindness, and commitment. Throughout the night, every volunteer was recognised for their outstanding contributions to making Dorset a better place.
Volunteers were celebrated across five categories: Young Volunteers, Teams, Volunteers, and the Andy Jacobs Award for Mental Health and Wellbeing. A brand-new category, Decade of Dedication, was introduced this year to honour long-serving volunteers who have given many years of commitment to their communities.
The new award was inspired by Marie Waterman, CEO of Volunteer Centre Dorset, who will celebrate 25 years of service before her retirement in March 2026. Collectively, volunteers recognised in this category have contributed an incredible 1,439 years of service.
Certificates were presented by a distinguished panel of guests, including Deputy Lord-Lieutenant of Dorset Colin Weston MBE, Dorset High Sheriff Callum Bremner JP, Joe Langtree from Room to Reward, Phil Cooper, Chair of Trustees at Volunteer Centre Dorset, and Marie Waterman herself.
Reflecting on the evening, Marie Waterman said: “Our Volunteer Celebration is the highlight of the year – a wonderful opportunity to recognise the amazing contributions volunteers make every day and the difference they bring to people’s lives. It’s such a happy event – humbling and emotional at times – hearing why people volunteer and how much they’re valued by the organisations they support. It’s a perfect occasion to say a big thank you to all the volunteers.”
To find out more about the work of Volunteer Centre Dorset, visit volunteeringdorset.org.uk or call 01305 269214.
Photo: Volunteers and guests come together
to celebrate the dedication of hundreds of
people in Dorset.
