BERECROFT Residents Association, Le Chapel North: Holiday Diamond and Works Club and Food Bank, Chadwell St Mary Community Forum and Southend on Sea Street Pastors in Essex, Southend on Sea and Thurrock recognised with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service for 2016

Four voluntary groups from Essex, Southend on Sea and Thurrock who work in the community have been honoured with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK.

The four groups are:

• Berecroft Residents Association, Harlow

• Le Chapel North: Holiday, Diamond and Works Club and Food Bank

• Chadwell St Mary Community Forum

• Southend on Sea Street Pastors

Representatives from each of the above groups attended a garden party at Buckingham Palace on over the last few weeks where they met the Queen and other winners of this year’s award.

The four groups are amongst 193 charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive the prestigious award this year. The number of awards given to groups this year is slightly higher than last year, showing that the voluntary sector is thriving and full of innovative ideas to tackle community challenges.

The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service is the highest award given to local volunteer groups across the UK to recognise outstanding work in their communities. The awards were created in 2002 to celebrate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee and winners are announced each year on 2 June – the anniversary of the Queen’s Coronation.

Award winners this year range from a War Memorial Community Trust, providing social facilities for the benefit of the community in Clwyd, Wales, to a club enhancing the community by developing individuals through athletics, in Ayrshire and Arran, Scotland.

The four groups mentioned above will receive the award from the Lord Lieutenant of Essex later this summer.

The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service Committee Chair, former broadcast journalist Sir Martyn Lewis said:

“I warmly congratulate all of the inspirational voluntary groups who have been rewarded for their community work with a Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. The judging panel for this year’s awards were struck by the quality and breadth of all the successful groups.

The thousands of volunteers who give up spare time to help others in their community and to help solve problems demonstrate the very best of democracy in action.”

Minister for Civil Society, Rob Wilson, said:

“I would like to congratulate all groups who received this year’s Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, in recognition of their fantastic achievements. The huge amount of work and commitment these organisations put into their local communities is surpassed only by the passion and motivation of the individuals who volunteer. I hope these groups continue to inspire others to get involved and make a positive impact so that we can continue to build a more compassionate society.”

Lord Petre, Lord Lieutenant for the County of Essex said:

Berecroft Resident Association, Harlow

Berecroft Resident Association is a volunteer group all of whom live on the estate and they are a shining example of how a community group can bring about positive change. Seventeen years ago when Berecroft moved from council control to a housing association the Residents Association was set up. Since inception a core group of volunteers has worked closely with the council, the housing association, the police and the fire and rescue service. The Association runs clubs for fishing, football, craft, swimming, and jobs. In addition, weekly walks are arranged, trips for the elderly, local wardens, and there is a website offering local help and advice. Youth nuisance has dropped dramatically on the estate with the refurbishment of the play area and improved lighting. What has been achieved is truly exceptional.