Community librarians and dedicated Staffordshire volunteers bestowed King's Award for excellent service
Community librarians and volunteers working with grieving families are among those rewarded with a King's Award for Voluntary Service.
Shenstone Community Library Association based near Lichfield and Stafford & District Bereavement & Loss Service are among just five county organisations to be bestowed the award in a much reduced list for the annual honours.
This prestigious award recognises outstanding work by volunteer groups, charities and organisations who serve their community with tangible benefits. It was created in 2002 to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee and is being continued by the King emphasised his desire to continue the award.
Lynda Jones, of Shenstone Community Library, in Main Street, Shenstone, said: "We are absolutely delighted to have our charity’s work recognised in this award. We have worked hard to develop a welcoming, inclusive space for the benefit of members of the community. Our dedicated and skilful volunteers are at the heart of this achievement together with local people who contribute so much to support us."
Shyamali Biswas Fenton, of Stafford & District Bereavement & Loss Support Service, in Weston Road, Stafford, said: “It is with great pleasure that Stafford & District Bereavement & Loss Support Service (SDBLSS) has been awarded the King’s Award for Voluntary Service in recognition of our charity work in the community. We are extremely proud to receive this accolade in recognition of the service we have been providing to adults experiencing bereavement or loss in Stafford, Stone and the surrounding district for the last 41 years.”
The winning groups this year include two Tamworth-based groups Simon’s Heroes, Tamworth Wellbeing and Cancer Support Service and @21 Leek Town Centre Project.
Lord-Lieutenant of Staffordshire Professor Liz Barnes will present the groups with their certificates signed by the King and an exclusive commemorative crystal over the next few months and representatives from the groups will also attend a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace.
Professor Barnes said: “These five recipients of this year’s honours are more fantastic examples of the hundreds of organisations that seek to make our county a better place. We hope that His Majesty’s award to our five organisations convey our immense gratitude.”
Chairman of Staffordshire County Council, Councillor Paul Williams said: “My sincere congratulations to all five winners of this award. It is fantastic that we as a county have the chance to thank and recognise those that five their time and expertise to improve the lives of their fellow residents.”
Others to be rewarded were Wolverhampton based community group and food bank Secret Angels which was recognised for its outstanding work supporting vulnerable individuals and families across the city.
Based at Park Village Education Centre in Cannock Road it runs weekly projects including the Secret Angels Food Bank, Plugged In – Digital Skills for Everyone, Java Joy, and Befriending Support for residents struggling with isolation.
This year 232 outstanding volunteering groups were recipients of the award. Winners are announced annually on November 14 which is the King’s birthday.
Since 2002, 118 county groups have been presented with the award.
