Volunteer Friends receives The
Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service

Volunteer Friends, a group of volunteers based in Bulkington, Warwickshire and working across Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough, have just been awarded The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Services. This is the highest award a local voluntary group can receive in the UK and equivalent to an MBE.

The charity has worked for over 35 years delivering services to the vulnerable in our community. The charity’s aim is to combat loneliness and isolation through social interaction via our volunteer-led activities built around the core service of Medicar Transport.

Volunteer Friends is one of 244 local charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups from across the UK to receive the prestigious award this year. Their work reminds us of all the ways in which fantastic volunteers are contributing to their local communities and working to make life better for those around them.

The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service aims to recognise outstanding work by local volunteer groups to benefit their communities. It was created in 2002 to celebrate The Queen’s Golden Jubilee. Recipients are announced each year on 2nd June, the anniversary of The Queen’s Coronation. Award winners this year are wonderfully diverse.

Cllr Richard Smith, Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Volunteer Friends says “I am delighted that our group’s work has been recognised especially in this year that celebrates The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. The volunteers are the beating heart of Volunteer Friends who selflessly contribute thousands of hours each year delivering our transport services, friendship and craft groups, dementia choir, youth craft and education, DBS processing service and our first-class woodworking centre. Without the dedication and commitment of our fantastic team of Volunteers, Staff, and Board of Trustees, none of the fantastic work that we do in the community would be possible”.

Mannie Kalsi, Manager at Volunteer Friends says “Without the hard work, commitment and dedication from our fantastic volunteer team, services like the Dementia Choir, Friendship Groups, Medicar Transport and Woodcraft Centre would not be possible. I feel honoured managing a team of 60+ volunteers who give their time selflessly to help others.”