Celebrating Our Education Volunteer of the Year 2026

At this year's Leicestershire Cares Awards, we were proud to celebrate the incredible volunteers who give their time, skills and expertise to support young people across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

The Education Volunteer of the Year Award recognises individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to our work in schools, helping young people build confidence, develop employability skills and broaden their aspirations for the future.

This year, we were delighted to receive nominations for two exceptional volunteers: Denise Bradshaw from Hinckley & Rugby Building Society and Danielle Young from Nelsons Law. It was so difficult to pick the nominees and even more difficult to choose between the two for the winner!

Denise has been an incredible supporter of our education programmes, particularly through mock interviews and work with SEND schools and alternative provisions. Her enthusiasm has inspired colleagues to volunteer alongside her, helping to create even more opportunities for young people. Denise's warmth, reliability and dedication have made a lasting impact on students and staff alike. Denise is also one of our long-standing Go For Reading volunteers, where she attends a local secondary school every week, and reads with the students who are falling behind.

We are thrilled to announce that this year's Education Volunteer of the Year is Danielle Young from Nelsons Law.

Danielle has consistently gone above and beyond in her support of Leicestershire Cares. Throughout the year, she has volunteered at multiple school employability events. Whether sharing her career journey with students, helping young people prepare for employment or supporting those interested in pursuing careers in law, Danielle brings energy, professionalism and genuine care to every opportunity.

What set Danielle apart was not only the breadth of her volunteering, but her solid commitment. She is always willing to step in and help, often answering calls for support at (very) short notice and continually finding new ways to contribute. Her flexibility, enthusiasm and dedication have made her an invaluable member of our volunteer community.

The award also highlights something much bigger than one individual's contribution: the power of volunteering itself.

When volunteers enter schools, they bring the world of work to life. They help young people understand the opportunities available to them, challenge perceptions, build confidence and inspire ambition. For many students, meeting professionals from different sectors can be a transformational experience, providing encouragement and insight that stays with them long after the session has ended.

Volunteering in schools is also incredibly rewarding for the volunteers themselves. It offers an opportunity to give back to the community, develop new skills, share expertise and make a tangible difference in the lives of young people. Even a small amount of time can have a significant impact.

At Leicestershire Cares, we see every day how powerful these connections can be. Our volunteers help bridge the gap between education and employment, ensuring young people have access to the support, networks and inspiration they need to succeed.

Congratulations to both Denise and Danielle on their nominations, and a special congratulations to Danielle Young, our Education Volunteer of the Year 2025.

Thank you to all of our volunteers. Your commitment, generosity and belief in young people continue to change lives.

If you would like to volunteer with our Education project and get involved with the work we do in schools please contact Bella at bella@leicestershirecares.co.uk.