Laura Polley

Anglia Care Trust (ACT) nominates a very special volunteer for this award. Laura Polley has volunteered with ACT for six years, introduced to the charity by her tutor whilst studying criminogy at university. Laura has volunteered in the housing team; as an appropriate adult supporting juveniles and vulnerable adults whilst in custody; and as an independent adviser supporting and mentoring young people struggling in education. During the last year Laura has undertaken lots of extra volunteering activities. She has: Increased her volunteering hours by 100% Shopped, organised and delivered food and hygiene emergency parcels to over 300 of our most vulnerable service users Organised all donations of books, toys and clothes into a pop-up shop for our staff to come and take things for their service users Initiated a ‘sleep out to help out’ fundraiser at the University, raising funds for ACT and raising awareness of the issue of homelessness. She managed all publicity via the local press, radio and social media. Laura’s volunteering experience helped her gain a post as a senior prison officer after graduation and has now come full circle, lecturing in Criminology and Psychology at the University of Suffolk, encouraging her own students to volunteer.