Three dedicated volunteers from Warminster Open Doors have been recognised for their outstanding contributions to the community through the national ‘Room to Reward’ scheme.
‘Room to Reward’ is a unique national initiative that thanks volunteers – the “Hidden Heroes” – who give their time to help others. Partner hotels and holiday parks donate unsold rooms, which are then offered to community volunteers through nominated local charities.
Each year, Warminster Open Doors receives three of these special “thank you” breaks, offered through a random draw among its almost 30-strong volunteer team and this year’s recipients are Graham Southey, Vicki McGavin and Rachel Evans.
Warminster Open Doors runs Chat Cafés as well as cancer, prostate cancer and bereavement support groups where people can meet, talk and find understanding over a friendly cup of coffee.
“Because we have almost 30 volunteers and only three rewards, we think the simplest way is random allocation which we do at our anniversary celebration,” said Debs Gogarty from the group. This year, we were delighted to give the rewards to Graham, Vicki and Rachel.
“Graham joined in 2024 and brings warmth and humour to the Chat Cafés where he volunteers as a ‘chatter’; Vicki is a long-standing volunteer since 2023, whose friendly nature and positivity help lift the spirits of everyone she meets; and Rachel, along with her husband Kerry, helped to establish the charity’s Prostate Cancer Support Group after joining in 2024.”
For more information about the Room to Reward charity, visit www.roomtoreward.org.
