Posted on: 25 April 2023
We are thrilled that Milena Lares, a volunteer at CNWL, has been crowned a Coronation Champion.
Milena has been recognised by Their Majesties The King and The Queen Consort as part of the official Coronation celebrations in conjunction with the Royal Voluntary Service.
The Coronation Champions Awards is all about celebrating the work of extraordinary volunteers across the UK.
A total of 500 volunteers have been selected as Coronation Champions and will receive an official pin badge, a signed certificate from Their Majesties, and an invite to one of the Coronation Celebrations.
Ania Adams, CNWL’s Volunteer to Career Coordinator Lead said:
“Milena's volunteer impact is truly extraordinary. Her compassionate presence has uplifted innumerable isolated patients, bestowing a sense of belonging and solace amid their most vulnerable moments. Skilfully orchestrating digital connections, Milena has bridged gaps, allowing families to share love and support despite physical barriers.”
Congratulations Milena!
The following was written by Milena, who has been volunteering with CNWL for 12 months:
Being a volunteer has exceeded my expectations in countless ways. Through my experiences, I have learnt the valuable impact that a simple gesture, a few words of encouragement, or just being present for someone can have.
Volunteering has taught me the importance of listening without judgment, respectfully asking questions, and being open to learning from others. It has also shown me the significance of sharing experiences without shame and appreciating the diverse walks of life, dreams, beliefs, and customs that individuals possess. Embracing and respecting these differences fosters confidence, unity, and inclusion, and I am truly grateful for the opportunity to uphold these values as a volunteer. 
Through volunteering, I have the privilege of hearing about these experiences from people who open up to me and express themselves. Moreover, it has not only allowed me to provide a compassionate ear to those in need, but also to continually learn, grow, and embody these values in my own life.
I am sincerely grateful and thrilled to be part of such an amazing team and I look forward to continuing my journey of making a positive difference in the lives of others.
You can read more about Milena’s volunteering experience here.
Become a volunteer today
We are looking for people from across the community to help continue providing care to our services, support our service users, their carers, friends and family and our staff.
Our volunteer roles change regularly based on the needs of our services.
For a full list of roles, visit this page.