Young Bristol have been honoured with The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service by HM Lord-Lieutenant Mrs Peaches Golding OBE CStJ., the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK.
Bristol-based charity Young Bristol, is an outstanding provider of community-based youth services that positively and sustainably impact the lives of young people aged 8 – 25 years.
Founded in 1928, Young Bristol has evolved into one of Bristol’s leading youth charities, providing 8 Community Youth Clubs and a Youth Club on Wheels, Outdoor Activities, as well as Sports, Creative, Employment and Educational programmes in communities across the city.
Volunteers are at the centre of the charities work; working with young people during their critical non-school hours to offer a choice of opportunities, experiences, education, training and accredited learning.
On Thursday 9th June following a week of celebrations for HM The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, Young Bristol invited volunteers and supporters from across the city to celebrate the charity formally receiving The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. Members of the charity’s Fundraising Committee and Trustee Board, through to programme volunteers, individual fundraisers and Corporate Partners, were invited to the event to celebrate their dedication to supporting children and young people in Bristol.
HM Lord-Lieutenant Mrs Peaches Golding OBE CStJ. was in attendance at the event to present Young Bristol with the prestigious award, and spoke with some of the charity’s young volunteers who have benefitted from Young Bristol’s programmes, and are now giving their time to support other young people across the city.
HM Lord-Lieutenant Mrs Peaches Golding OBE CStJ. said,
"It is a great pleasure to be here today as representative of Her Majesty The Queen to present Young Bristol with The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service, and to celebrate what is being done to help the young people of Bristol to develop the skills, experience and knowledge to support them in their lives and their future careers."
Jamie Cameron, Chair of Young Bristol added,
"Thank you to everyone who is here today, our supporters, individual fundraisers and our team. It is a special time to come together to celebrate this award as part of Volunteers Week, as The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service recognises the value, time and energy that volunteers put into our communities and public services."
Alongside the presentation of the award, Young Bristol launched its 2022-25 Strategy. The charity consulted with children and young people, their supporters, national bodies and stakeholders, together with the wider community during 2021, to explore how it can improve its services for young people, aligning with national and city-wide youth service strategies. The Strategy was launched at the event to signify the charity’s continued focus and dedication to supporting Bristol’s communities.
Lee Williams, Chief Executive at Young Bristol said, “Today’s event has provided a fantastic opportunity for Young Bristol’s volunteers and supporters to network and come together to celebrate our post-COVID response, which has seen the charity go above and beyond for children and young people across the city.”
The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service aims to recognise the outstanding work of voluntary groups who benefit their local communities. It was created in 2002 to celebrate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee.
For more information on Young Bristol's volunteering opportunities and how you can support our work, click here.
