Salisbury’s Juliet Mosney was invited to the coronation concert because of her work as an NHS volunteer responder. Here, she recalls her volunteering journey and shares her experience of the big day.

My volunteering journey started when I was still at school, Blandford Upper School, where I would help younger years with after school sports clubs.

I also regularly visited a lady in a nursing home. I remember winning an award from the Lions Club for volunteering.

At the start of the pandemic, Matt Hancock MP, requested an ‘army of volunteers’ to come forward to support people in our communities and I signed up straight away with the NHS Volunteer Responder Scheme.

I received alerts via the GoodSAM App and was able to do shopping and collect prescriptions for the vulnerable and those who were shielding.

Volunteering certainly helped me as well, as I live on my own and don’t have a garden. So I was able to get out and about during the strict lockdown rules.

People were overwhelmed to have their vital supplies delivered to them and most loved a, socially distanced, chat on the doorstep.

I was nominated by the NHS Volunteer Responder Scheme for a Coronation Champion Award and, rather underwhelmingly, discovered I was a winner when I stumbled across an email in my Junk Folder!

As well as being an NHS Volunteer Responder, I also moderated the largest unofficial Facebook group which had more than 10,000 volunteers as members. This led to an invitation to become the Volunteer Representative on the Advisory Board. Meetings included representatives from NHSEngland, the Royal Voluntary Service, GoodSAM and many other volunteering organisations.

I am also in the National Design Group for the planning of the future of the NHS Volunteer Responder Scheme as we transition from a pandemic response to a sustainable scheme with even more volunteering opportunities. I would encourage you to have a look at their website at nhsvolunteerresponders.org.uk

There are 500 Coronation Champions nationally, all awarded for volunteering. I had to keep it secret for a few days until the big social media launch and you can then be assured that I shared my joyful news with anyone that would listen.

A few days later, I received a stunning presentation box in the post that contained the most beautiful certificate, signed by Their Majesties, and a coronation pin badge. I was also invited to attend the coronation concert at Windsor Castle on Sunday, 7th May, and took my 15-year-old nephew as my escort.

You will no doubt have seen coverage on the television and we were blessed with a glorious, sunny evening in the company of the Royal Family, whom I could clearly see from my seat.

I was most struck by the strong theme running through the concert of a King who has already given so much and who is so talented. He is a kind, compassionate King.

The performances were all fantastic and it would be impossible to pick a favourite.

I was very moved watching the coronation service at home with my parents, with such a strong theme of service and inclusion throughout. Over the past few years,

I have also supported Encircles charity for the homeless and the wonderful Horatio’s Garden charity which provides beautiful gardens in spinal centres around the country and was founded at Salisbury Hospital.

I have my own health issues, which is why I am no longer able to teach, but I have many transferable skills which can be used to support others.

Volunteering was very much key to the whole coronation weekend of celebrations and I will continue to do my bit to serve my community and those in need.