Decades-Long Volunteer Service Celebrated Across UK Communities

In celebration of Volunteers Week, several individuals and organizations across the UK are being honored for their long-term dedication to volunteering. Irene Phillips, a 90-year-old from Belfast, has been volunteering with Barnardo's NI for over a decade, providing inclusive play opportunities for children with special needs. Chris Collins marks 50 years as a volunteer with Sheffield Samaritans, highlighting the evolution of support methods from phone calls to online chats and stressing the importance of combating isolation and loneliness. The Phyllis Tuckwell hospice in Surrey recognizes 50 volunteers who have contributed for 5 to 20 years across various roles vital to patient care. The late Mrs. Ethel Oldcroft of Enniskillen was remembered for a lifetime of voluntary service, including her leadership in Scouting and founding a social club for seniors. These stories collectively underscore the profound and diverse impact volunteers have on their communities, inspiring others to engage and support causes that matter to them.