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West of England voluntary groups honoured with King's Award

BBC Lorna MontgomeryBBC
Lorna Montgomery, founder of Share and Repair Bath, is "over the moon"

Several organisations in the region have been given the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK.

Equivalent to an MBE, the Blunsdon Community Shop and Café said they were "extremely proud" to have been given The King's Award for Voluntary Service.

Share and Repair Bath said they were "over the moon".

Other recipients included the West Somerset Food Cupboard, Refugee Aid From Taunton, Crewkerne and District Museum and Heritage Centre.

The founder and chair of Share and Repair Bath, Lorna Mongomery called the volunteers their "backbone and most vital resource."

While there are other repair charities, this one combines practical support with environmental concerns, repairing things and educating people into how to fix things themselves too.

Google The community shop and café in Cotswold-style stone, a one-storey building with wooden porchway, newly built.Google
The community shop and café in Blunsdon in Swindon has had over 200 volunteers in 20 years

It is estimated that the Blunsdon Community shop and café has had more than 200 volunteers over the last 20 years, with 40 currently running the shop on a rota basis and delivering the support service to the village.

Directly involving the community itself, it is described as inclusive and accessible.

The acting chair of the organisation, Jan Milsom, said it showed "what you can achieve when you have a joint vision, desire and a drive".

They are among more than 260 local charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to get the prestigious award this year.

The West Somerset Food Cupboard - which distributes around 100 emergency food boxes a month - has said it was "delighted".

The group added that its 50 volunteers are the reason "we are able to continue to support those in greatest need in this community each week".

Federica Smith-Roberts
Federica Smith-Roberts founded Refugee Aid From Taunton and said this was an "incredible achievement"

Federica Smith-Roberts from Refugee Aid From Taunton called the award "an incredible achievement" for them, as they have created a network of charities who swap and trade surplus items ensuring they can get top places where they are needed.

The award was created in 2002 to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's Golden Jubilee and King Charles III has decided to continue it.

Also getting the honour this year is Crewkerne and District Museum and Heritage Centre, which is run entirely by volunteers, who have ensured they are accredited by the Arts Council, created four exhibition galleries and also do historical research.

Google The front of Crewkerne and District Museum and Heritage Centre, which is an old listed building with a blue pub-style sign along a road in the townGoogle
Crewkerne and District Museum and Heritage Centre is run entirely by volunteers

Previous groups in the region to get the award include, the Wylye Valley Art Trail volunteers, Bristol Autism Support, ACTA Community Theatre, Stroud District Action on Plastic and PROMISEworks, who have all been presented with the honour in the past.

Recipients will get their awards from from Lord Lieutenant of their county, then select volunteers will attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace next year.

The chosen organisations are announced annually on 14 November, The King's Birthday, with award winners from across the UK.

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