This award belongs to you!
Celebrating the people behind our Charity of the Year success
On 23 July, we were delighted to bring together our volunteers and trustees at Wokingham Town Hall to celebrate a remarkable achievement for The Link Visiting Scheme, being named National Charity of the Year.
The event was an opportunity to reflect on how far we have come and, most importantly, to thank the many people who have helped make this recognition possible. We were honoured to be joined by Wokingham Town Mayor, Cllr Alwyn Jones, who helped us mark this special occasion.
Our volunteers enjoyed food and drinks while hearing from some of the people at the heart of our charity. Karan, our Volunteer Manager, spoke about the incredible contribution volunteers make every day and the impact they have on the lives of older people across Wokingham Borough. We also heard moving reflections from volunteers John, Sophie and Virginia, who shared what volunteering with The Link Visiting Scheme means to them and the friendships they have built through their roles.
Marjie Walker, CEO of The Link Visiting Scheme, spoke about the collective effort behind the award and thanked everyone who has played a part in the charity's success. While we were delighted to receive the Charity of the Year award, the real achievement belongs to the people who make our work possible. This celebration was an opportunity to say thank you.
Volunteers are the backbone of The Link Visiting Scheme. Through simple acts of kindness, regular visits, phone calls, support at activities and the gift of their time, they help transform lives. Their generosity creates meaningful friendship at a time of life that can often feel extremely lonely. Winning Charity of the Year was a proud moment for the organisation, but we also recognise the wider community that stands behind our work. From volunteers who offer companionship, to trustees who provide guidance, funders who invest in our vision, and partners who work alongside us, everyone has a role in helping us make a difference.
As we celebrated together at Wokingham Town Hall, we were reminded that friendship and connection are at the heart of everything we do. Thank you to everyone who has been part of our journey. This award belongs to all of you.