Volunteer cheer as local groups recognised with national Queen’s Award

Five local voluntary groups have been recognised for their outstanding work by having been awarded a Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS) during the Platinum Jubilee.

Created in 2002 for the Queen’s Golden Jubilee, the Queen’s Awards have been shining a light on the fantastic work of voluntary groups for two decades now. Equivalent to an MBE, QAVS are the highest awards given to local voluntary groups in the UK, and they are awarded for life.

A quarter of all the award winners from Greater Manchester came from Bury, demonstrating the invaluable work of local voluntary and community groups in the borough.

The local groups awarded a Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service during the Jubilee are:

• The Attic Project
• Bury2gether
• Corrie Gardeners Community Group
• Greater Manchester Army Cadet Force (Hawkshaw)
• Rammy Men

Councillor Richard Gold, cabinet member for finance and communities, said: “I’m delighted that the volunteers of these five local organisations have been recognised through the Queen’s Award. We’ve seen countless examples of the amazing work these organisations provide: from supporting positive wellbeing, games sessions, music, to befriending, peer support and foodbank provision, these groups epitomise Bury’s Let’s Do It! approach. Congratulations to all those involved with the Attic Project, Bury2gether, Corrie Gardeners, the GM Army Cadet Force and Rammy Men.

“I’d also like to extend our thanks, as a borough, to the thousands of volunteers who, day in day out, support people across our neighbourhoods. The recent State of the Sector survey estimates that there are more than 26,000 people in our borough who volunteer a total of 130,000 hours per week.

“As National Volunteer Week draws to a close, it’s only proper to reflect on and praise the immense contribution to local life that volunteers make, but also that such kind and valued actions happen every week in the year. We thank them for all that they do, and it was great to see a number of volunteers at the Platinum Jubilee Service and Big Jubilee Lunch over the weekend as part of this recognition.”

For more information on the QAVS winning groups, and other local voluntary groups in your area, visit www.theburydirectory.co.uk

Feel inspired to volunteer? The Bury Voluntary and Community Faith Alliance (Bury VCFA) can provide information and support to help you get involved.

Come along to the following information sessions this week, which will be held as follows:

• Tesco Bury (Woodfields) – Tuesday 7 June, 12-3pm
• Morrisons Whitefield – Wednesday 9 June, 12-3pm
• More sessions will be held later this month at Asda Radcliffe and at Morrisons in Ramsbottom. Full information at https://www.buryvcfa.org.uk/volunteering/volunteering-bulletin/

Nominations are also open for the 2023 awards. To nominate a local group, go to https://qavs.dcms.gov.uk/make-a-nomination/about-nominating/

ENDS

Press release issued: 7 June 2022.