Foundation For Good’s volunteers have received the highest honour a voluntary group in the UK can be given, the equivalent of an MBE.
Volunteers at Foundation For Good in Consett are celebrating after the charity was honoured with The King’s Award for Voluntary Service. The award recognises the contribution its volunteers make to people and families across Consett and the surrounding communities.
It was presented on 14 September by His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of County Durham, Mike Butterwick CBE, who visited the charity’s community hub on Trafalgar Street to meet volunteers, staff, service users and partners, and to tour the Food Bank, the Wellbeing Café and the gym and boxing facilities.
The quality of their service is outstanding and their reach into the community around Consett is first class. They provide wonderful opportunities that transform the lives of individuals within the community they serve.
Mike Butterwick CBE, Lord-Lieutenant of County Durham
Foundation For Good works as a multi-service hub for people of all ages experiencing financial hardship, food insecurity, isolation, poor mental health, disability and other long-term challenges. Alongside the Food Bank, its Wellbeing Café offers an affordable place to eat, meet others and find support, and its boxing and wellness programmes are open to children, young people and adults. The charity works closely with schools, social prescribers, the police, the local authority and other community organisations.
Volunteers help run the Food Bank, work in the café, maintain the centre, support community activities and help deliver the boxing and wellbeing programmes.
We are incredibly proud of our volunteers and this award is a wonderful recognition of the commitment, compassion and hard work they give to our community. They are the people who often greet someone when they first walk through our doors, pack food parcels, make someone a cup of coffee, support activities, help keep the building running and, most importantly, give people their time.
Fraser Neill, founder, Foundation For Good
Jessica White, Centre Manager, said: “Whether someone comes through our doors for a food parcel, a boxing session, a coffee, a wellbeing activity or simply because they need someone to talk to, our volunteers help create an environment where people feel welcomed, respected and valued.”
The charity says it now plans to build on the award by expanding its services and creating more opportunities for local people to volunteer, take part and get support.
Foundation For Good is at 11 to 19 Trafalgar Street, Consett, DH8 5AP. Call 01207 500055 or visit foundationforgood.com.
Source: Foundation For Good
