FROME’S Active and In Touch group has been presented with their Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service – the highest award given to volunteer groups across the UK and the equivalent to the MBE for voluntary groups.
The presentation of a domed glass crystal was made to Julia di Castiglione, chair of trustees, on behalf of the Queen by The Lord Lieutenant of Somerset, Annie Maw.
The engraved trophy, together with a framed certificate signed by the Queen, recognised the ongoing and increased activities which had been undertaken by Active and In Touch, especially during the first year of the pandemic.
Julia expressed her delight at being able to receive the accolade on behalf of the charity, “recognising as it does the commitment, generosity of time and spirit devoted to helping people who are experiencing feelings of loneliness and isolation.”
She said, “Volunteers responded so positively to the increased need for maintaining contact with members by many and ingenious ways, still observing all Covid guidelines during periods of lockdown and whilst many members were still sheltering. They rose to the challenge the pandemic posed.”
Director of service for AAIT, Dougie Brown said, “It was an honour and a privilege to be at the presentation, which recognised all of A&IT’s awesome volunteers and their selfless commitment to supporting others.
“Volunteers have known about the royal recognition of their contributions for some time, but the formal presentation made it all the more real and special.”
Volunteers – supported by a number of those they had befriended over the years, Health Connectors, A&IT staff and trustees – also received an enamel badge containing the message ‘With Special Recognition’
Celebrating with tea and cake, volunteers chatted to Annie Maw and to James Sedgman, Deputy Lord Lieutenant who had accompanied her.
“Tuesday 12th October proved to be a momentous day for Active and In Touch volunteers,” said the group. “It was certainly a day in which to celebrate and to reflect over the course of the past 18 months, knowing a contribution had been made to helping people in Frome and the surrounding villages.”
If you would like to find out more about Active and In Touch or wish to volunteer, please contact enquiries@activeandintouch.org and talk to co-ordinators Gwen Corbet or Di Richards. You will receive a warm welcome and training is provided.
