Wirral charities receive Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service

Wirral Foodbank, Friends of Birkenhead Park, NEO Community, Hive Youth Zone and IncuBabies are among 241 charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups receiving the prestigious award, equivalent to the MBE for volunteer groups, this year.

Representatives from each of the groups will receive their award crystal certificates later this year and attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace in May next year.

Wirral Foodbank’s general manager Richard Roberts said: "We are honoured to receive this award.

"It recognises the extraordinary team of volunteers we have, their commitment and dedication to the job and their overwhelming desire to help people."

Foodbank volunteers

The Friends of Birkenhead Park (pictured, below) help local people develop a sense of community ownership of the park and allow them to speak out in its interests.

They have developed a wide range of volunteering activities and have delivered educational programs and skill-training workshops.

The group played a major role in the conversion of a piece of derelict area on the edge of the park now known as 'The Edward Kemp Community Garden' into community gardening plots which provide a basis for learning and practicing horticultural and gardening skills.

Graham Arnold, chairman of The Friends, said: "I and the rest of the team are delighted that the group's work has been recognised in this way.

"It pays tribute to hard work and commitment made over many years by volunteers who make a huge contribution to the park".

NEO Community (pictured, below), based in Rock Ferry, is focused on "building resilient communities, raising aspirations, facilitating change and reducing food insecurity.

Judi Blacow, chair of trustees said: "Our amazing volunteer team keep our Community House open and provide fantastic support services to our local community.

"Their duties vary; from driving to collecting surplus food supplies, making up and delivering crisis food hampers; working in the shop; cooking; waiting on; cleaning up in the community café; food preparation; gardening; running bingo and kids club; general maintenance etc.

"The list is endless. I also want to thank our amazing NEO 50 members and our fantastic funders, without whom none of this would be possible."

The Birkenhead-based Hive works with up to 4,000 young people each year from across Wirral, giving them, somewhere to go, something to do and someone to talk to.

Operating seven days a week young people can choose from around 20 activities each day including sports, arts, music, climbing, cooking and much more, all of which is underpinned with developmental and support programmes such as young leaders’ courses, employability schemes and a mentoring programme.

The entire programme is designed to raise aspirations, enhance prospects, improve health and wellbeing and enable young people to be the best possible versions of themselves.

Volunteers are key to making a difference to young people, with more than 80 bringing skills, experiences, passion, commitment and time, giving thousands of hours each year.

Over the last year The Hive has adapted it’s programme to ensure that local young people continued to receive the support they needed. Practical support was offered along with a range of initiatives including a daily digital offer, and an isolation support project which received more than 1,000 referrals in just two months.

Stuart Barnes, The Hive’s chief executive said: "I am beyond delighted that The Hive has received the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service.

"It is fantastic recognition and a tremendous thank you to all those who have given so much and consistently gone ‘the extra mile’ putting young people first."

IncuBabies was set up to assist with the refurbishment, extension and enhancement of neonatal provision in Wirral and to support families at this most difficult of times.  

Babies are cared for by the amazing staff at the Unit but Mums and families need support too and an environment and space where they can be with their babies.

Most babies are from the Wirral but some are from Cheshire, parts of Merseyside and beyond.

In addition they are now actively supporting the research project Aspire which is looking into nutrition and digestion issues in neonatal and full term low weight babies and how to protect them from potential fatal infections.

The charity has had support from all areas of the Wirral community and businesses

Sheila Clarke MBE, chair of IncuBabies, said: "IncuBabies is an entirely voluntary Charity and it is only due to the enthusiasm, compassion and dedication of many people giving freely of their own time that these aims can be achieved.

"We are absolutely delighted to have won this Award and to be recognised amongst such incredibly fantastic Charities and Volunteers from throughout the Country.

"It is an honour and privilege to receive this Award and we dedicate it to all our volunteers, families and everyone connected to IncuBabies and thank them for their hard work and commitment.

The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service was created in 2002 to celebrate The Queen’s Golden Jubilee.

Recipients are announced each year on June 2, the anniversary of The Queen’s Coronation.