Stockbridge-based LifeCare have had their work recognised by Her Majesty the Queen. LifeCare, which works with elderly people, has been honoured with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK.
Across the city, Duddingston Kirk Lunch Club has also received the highest accolade.
Both charities were recommended for awards by Edinburgh’s Lord Provost and Lord Lieutenant, Donald Wilson, who also takes on the role of the city’s volunteering champion and both LifeCare and Duddingston Kirk Lunch Club will be invited to attend a garden party at Holyrood Palace with the Queen in late Spring.
LifeCare Edinburgh, based at Cheyne Street in Stockbridge, works across the city supporting the independence and wellbeing of the elderly, people with dementia and carers, helping them to remain at home, connect with others and participate more fully in their community. This is done through a rang of services which includes day units, a popular community café and volunteer projects.
Su Millar, Chief Executive of LifeCare Edinburgh, said: “We are absolutely thrilled with this news and proud to be one of two organisations to receive such a prestigious award. We are delighted that it is recognising the excellent work our volunteers do here at LifeCare Edinburgh.
“We are grateful to Sopra Steria, Edinburgh for nominating us. It demonstrates our commitment to our volunteers and we could not offer all that we do without them. The volunteers who work with us complement our staff teams whether it is assisting in the day units, helping in the café, supporting our events, or helping older people with their shopping.”
“They all bring their own enthusiasm and expertise so without them LifeCare Edinburgh would not be able to make such a difference in the lives of the people we care for. Our volunteers range from students doing their Duke of Edinburgh Award, people who have retired and have more time to spare, to those looking to gain experience in the workplace.”
Duddingston Kirk Lunch Club provides a vital lunch club service for elderly and frail people in east Edinburgh. The service is provided on an entirely voluntary basis by a dedicated group of volunteers, many of whom are themselves elderly.
The local groups are two of 187 charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive the prestigious award this year. The number of awards handed out to groups have increased by over 60% from 2014, due to an increase in high quality applications, showing that the voluntary sector is thriving and full of innovative ideas to tackle community challenges.
Volunteers from LifeCare and the Duddingston Kirk Lunch Club will receive the award from Edinburgh’s Lord Provost later this summer.
The Lord Lieutenant Donald Wilson said: “The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service is the equivalent of an MBE for volunteer groups and recognises the outstanding work they provide within their local communities. I am delighted that not one but two of Edinburgh’s fantastic charities have been chosen by the Queen to receive this recognition.
“Both LifeCare and the Duddingston Kirk Lunch Club truly deserve the praise. It was an honour to recommend them personally for their voluntary service, and it will be my privilege to present them with their awards and certificates later this year.”
The Minister for Civil Society, Rob Wilson, added: “I would like to congratulate all groups who received this year’s Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, in recognition of their fantastic achievements. The hard work and commitment that goes into the work of these organisations is surpassed only by the passion and motivation of the individuals who volunteer.
“I hope these groups continue to inspire others to get involved and make a positive impact so that we can continue to build a bigger, stronger society.”
Any group of two or more people that has participated in voluntary work for more than three years can be nominated for the award. Full details on how to nominate are available at http://qavs.direct.gov.uk/
Nominations for the 2016 awards close on 18 September 2015.
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