Volunteers’ Week got off to a great start this year with the news that four North Tyneside organisations have been awarded the prestigious Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service,the highest honour for volunteer groups in the UK. Collingwood Bowling Club, The Friends of Red House Ramble, The St Bernadette Club and Walking With North Tyneside have all been recognised with this award, which recognises exceptional service within communities
The number of nominations and awards has increased year on year since the awards were introduced, with 281 awarded this time round, showing that the voluntary sector is thriving and full of innovative ideas to make life better for those around them.
The award is considered equivalent to an MBE for the voluntary sector and any volunteer-led group of two or more providing a social, economic or environmental service to the local community can be nominated. Organisations are judged on the benefit they bring to the community and their reputation or standing in that area. Winners of the award are announced on 2 June to mark the anniversary of the Queen’s Coronation. Read more here.