Image: Courtesy of Beatrice Dopita – Sarah Wise receiving her award from the outgoing Mayor Diann March
Wimborne Minster Town Council – Volunteer of the Year Award 2023/24
At the Mayor making ceremony in May, Sarah Wise, leader of the volunteer group “Wimborne War on Waste,” was honoured with the “Volunteer of the Year” award. She received this in recognition for her outstanding contributions to organizing community litter picks and promoting waste reduction efforts in the town.
Sarah began each morning by walking through Redcotts Recreation Ground in Wimborne Minster, picking up litter. This small act evolved into gathering a group of people together and eventually led to the formation of Wimborne War on Waste.
This initiative brought about projects like Bin the Butts (an idea originally implemented by the Chamber of Trade), and encouraged cafes to go plastic-free, use refillable coffee cups, and ask businesses to let people fill their mugs with water. These efforts, all focused on environmental issues, eventually led to the creation of Planet Wimborne, the Repair Café, and more. Without Sarah’s initial litter-picking, many of these initiatives might not exist today, or at least not as soon as they did.
Wimborne Minster Town Council acknowledges the incredible volunteer efforts within our community. The Annual Volunteer of the Year awards by the Town Council are designed to recognize and celebrate volunteers who have made exceptional contributions to Wimborne Minster and its residents.
Award Nomination Categories:
- Outstanding Volunteer Contribution (no age restriction)
- Outstanding Volunteer Group Contribution
Nomination Criteria:
- Nominations must be submitted via an official application by two parish residents and are not limited to one submission per nominator. Full contact details must be provided.
- Nominations must be received by 31 March 2025. Any submissions received after this deadline will not be considered.
- The following nominations are not allowed: previous winners from the last five years, self-nominations, town councillors, or town council staff.
- There is no minimum length of volunteer service required, but the volunteer work must be conducted within Wimborne Minster.
- Nominees must consent to being nominated and provide their contact details.
- All nominees will be notified.