Action Foundation have been honoured with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK.
We are one of 230 charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive the prestigious award this year. The number of nominations remains high year on year, showing that the voluntary sector is needed now more than ever and is full of innovative ideas to make life better for those around them.
Outstanding work
The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service aims to recognise outstanding work by volunteer groups to benefit their local 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. They include volunteer groups from across the UK, including a community shop in Cornwall, an environmental group in Swansea, and a thriving community arts centre in County Down.
Representatives from Action Foundation will receive the award from Mrs Susan Winfield, Lord Lieutenant of Tyne & Wear later this summer.
Dedicated and compassionate
Lord-Lieutenant of Tyne and Wear, Susan Winfield
Action Foundation’s CEO Julian Prior said: “Winning such a prestigious award like this is a huge honour and great recognition for the tireless work of our large team of dedicated volunteers. Action Foundation would not be able to provide the support we do without their selfless, skilled and compassionate input to improve the lives of some very vulnerable people that we have the privilege to serve.”
Lord-Lieutenant of Tyne and Wear, Susan Winfield also expressed her joy at the result: “I am delighted that Action Foundation have been honoured with The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service 2020, the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK. Action Foundation gives hope to vulnerable people, guiding them to a better life, it is a life-changing charity offering a real sense of involvement. My warmest congratulations to all those who have played a part in achieving this honour.”
Buckingham Palace Garden Party
Some of our amazing Action Foundation Volunteers
Our volunteers are the beating heart of Action Foundation, and it was clear from the Deputy-Lieutenant’s words after visiting our charity earlier in the year that he got a real sense of that. He wrote in her report:
“It has to be stressed that the paid staff are the enablers, it is volunteers who run this charity, do the bulk of the work and interact with the groups. Without these volunteers there would be no Action Foundation.”
He continued: “Of particular note is the range of services they provide and what it means, not just to the migrants, refugees, asylum seekers, but also to the volunteers. We witnessed people from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures unite under the guidance of some outstanding volunteers. Volunteers with a caring attitude offering genuine friendship, a deep understanding, and a genuine desire to help lonely, vulnerable people adapt to life in a new country. “
Two volunteers from Action Foundation will get to attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace in May 2021, along with other recipients of this year’s Award.
Fancy volunteering with Action Foundation?
While not all of our services are running due to the current Covid-19 restrictions, we are always on the look-out for fundraising volunteers and people who would be interested in volunteering with our projects once they’re back up and running.
