Two groups of Isle of Wight volunteers have been honoured with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service — the highest award given to UK volunteer groups, being equivalent to the MBE.
Pan Together have been recognised for their work supporting their local community in East Newport.
Provides providing wholesome and affordable food
Their community cafe at Downside Community Centre is open five days a week, providing wholesome and affordable food.
The centre acts as a community focus, enabling people to meet and for young people and adults alike to receive guidance, support and access to learning, thereby providing them with opportunities to progress into or return to employment.
Brodie: One of my proudest achievements
Founded in 2007 by local Isle of Wight Cllr Geoff Brodie, who said,
“Pan Together is one of my proudest achievements over the last 17 years and I am delighted with this award for everyone involved.
“They all deserve it so much. They have often stepped in to help people in need, most particularly during the Covid lockdowns.”
Byrne: Huge thanks are due to our volunteers
Laura Byrne, chair of the charity’s trustees, said,
“We are absolutely over the moon to receive this amazing recognition for Pan Together, which we would never have dreamed of.
“Huge thanks are due to our volunteers — young, old and in all their diversity — for everything they do to support struggling and vulnerable local people.”
Sandown Green Town Volunteers
Sandown Green Town Volunteers have transformed their town, providing clean, attractive and colourful public spaces. Each day you can see the volunteers in their hi-viz jackets, picking up litter and improving the environment.
With regular gardening sessions they care for flower beds, planters and troughs from the Cliff Path to Yaverland while the beds in front of the pier are a centrepiece for the town.
They have also ‘rewilded’ parts of the coastal path and planted hundreds of hedgerow trees.
Their activities enhance the town and promote a sense of well-being.
Jackson: They are out in all weathers
Christine Jackson, SGT volunteers chair, said,
“It’s wonderful to have the hard work of our volunteers recognised in this way.
“They are out in all weathers working to make Sandown an attractive place in which to work, live and visit.”
The Island winners are among only 244 charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive the prestigious award this year.
Lord-Lieutenant: I am grateful for their efforts to benefit the lives of others
Representatives of the winning groups will receive their awards from Susie Sheldon, Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of the Isle of Wight, later this summer and two volunteers from each group will attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace in May 2023.
The Lord-Lieutenant said,
“I am delighted that the fantastic work of these volunteers has been recognised, and I am grateful for their efforts to benefit the lives of others and to improve the Island environment.
“The high number of awards won on the Island over the last few years, underlines our community’s commitment to serve others.”
Make a nomination
Nominations for the QAVS 2023 close on 16 September 2022.
Information about how to make a nomination can be found on the Isle of Wight Lieutenancy Website.
News shared by Isle of Wight council press office, in their own words. Ed
