Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service
Queen’s Award Presentation
Following months of delays caused by the pandemic, on Monday 11th October Autism Bedfordshire’s volunteers were delighted to be presented with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service at an event held at Dunstable’s Grove Theatre. Nearly 100 of the charity’s volunteers along with Deputy Lieutenants, the High Sheriff of Bedfordshire, other Bedfordshire dignitaries and charity funders enjoyed a cream tea before the presentation made by Her Majesty the Queen’s representative the Lord Lieutenant of Bedfordshire Helen Nellis.
Annually, over 200 volunteers support and steer Autism Bedfordshire’s work, equating to the equivalent of 17 full time staff donating nearly 30,000 hours of their time to the charity – representing volunteering at its very best. The volunteers were presented with a Queen’s Award certificate and lapel badge and joined the rest of the attendees to enjoy an enlightening talk by guest speaker Jamie + Lion.
The Lord Lieutenant said:
“This is the highest award given to volunteer groups in the UK. It is an award for the volunteers themselves, to acknowledge the real difference their voluntary work makes. To win this award is a tremendous achievement and shows the highest recognition of all the volunteers and staff of Autism Bedfordshire”
Lainey Montgomery, Chair of Autism Bedfordshire’s Board of Trustees, who accepted the award on behalf of the charity’s volunteers said:
“I am so incredibly proud to receive this award on behalf of all our wonderful volunteers and to be a part of this charity”
The event was generously sponsored by Bedford based construction company SDC who are celebrating their 50th anniversary by supporting local charities.
“We are so grateful that they have chosen us through their fundraising – having their support has made the difference between us being able to host this special and treating our volunteers the way they deserved to be treated” Emma Reade, CEO said.
Dunstable photographer Dean Boatman donated his time and talents on the day.
As Autism Bedfordshire heads towards celebrating its 30th anniversary, our volunteers continue to lead and contribute across all services from the trustee board setting the vision and direction, autistic adults co-delivering training, two charity shops; a suite of children and family clubs including our double awarded Ofsted Outstanding summer schemes and adult social clubs, accredited skills courses, employment support and wellbeing groups.
Find out more about the award here.