Queen's Award for Voluntary Service

Outstanding voluntary work in Redbridge was recognised yesterday as two groups - Redbridge Voluntary Care Redbridge Education and Social Welfare Support Group (known locally as AWAAZ) - were yesterday given the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service by Colonel Paul Acda TD, Deputy Lieutenant. The Deputy Lieutenant presented a certificate signed by The Queen and an exclusive commemorative crystal, to representatives of both organisations on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen and the Lord Lieutenant.

This prestigious UK National Honour, which is the equivalent of an MBE for groups of volunteers,  recognises outstanding voluntary contributions and sets the national benchmark for excellence in volunteering, with the work of those awarded being judged to be of the highest standard. Six groups in London received the award this year with a total of 130 groups awarded UK-wide.

Redbridge Voluntary Care has received the Award for providing a ‘good neighbour’ service for those with needs that cannot be met elsewhere. Established 38 years ago to provide valuable help to residents when they have no one else to turn to, a broad range of help is available through Redbridge Voluntary Care including transport to hospital, clinics, etc, emergency shopping, light help in the home and visiting those who are housebound. 

Volunteers are on duty 24 hours a day every day of the year to make sure there is always someone on the phone who can help if necessary.  This can include collecting prescriptions, shopping, visiting lonely residents and providing transport.  Once a year, they also take 100 elderly house-bound residents on a drive through the Essex Countryside. If you’re interested in volunteering for Redbridge Voluntary Care Service or would like request their help, call 020 8514 0980. 

A number of members of St. John's Seven Kings are involved with Redbridge Voluntary Care as volunteers – as drivers, visitors and offering help in the home, and as duty officers, manning the helpline telephone from their homes on a rota. Dorothy Hart, Vice President of Redbridge Voluntary Care Service, is one of those volunteers from St John's and received the award on behalf of the group.  She said, “We are very touched to receive this award.  Over the years we’ve worked with some unbelievably kind volunteers that go to great lengths to help people in their time of need.  If more people came along to volunteer as result of this it would be wonderful.”

Redbridge Education and Social Welfare support group was set up in July 2002.  It supports disadvantaged women from all backgrounds by providing activities to help them build their confidence and help to lead a healthy lifestyle.  This includes help with education, training, improving health and reducing obesity through organising activities such as dance classes, yoga, keep fit, counselling and days out.

Bushra Tahir, Chair and Founder of Redbridge Education and Social Welfare Support Group, said the group’s volunteers were thrilled to win, “We are delighted as we weren’t expecting it. All our staff are volunteers and they work very hard. They really appreciated that their work was recognised. We couldn’t have achieved it without the help of our volunteers and supporters.” If you would like to find out more about Redbridge Education and Social Welfare Support, visit http://www.awaaz.org.uk/.

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