Cotswold Friends has been honoured with The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK. The past 12 months have been very challenging and the dedication, commitment and resilience of Cotswold Friends volunteers outstanding.

Over 300 volunteers worked tirelessly during lockdown to protect and support the most vulnerable in our community; volunteers who were shielding or locked down are now coming back to their volunteering roles. Many of our volunteers have given years of dedicated service to the Charity and their community.

Cotswold Friends was recommended for the Queen’s Award by members of the community and then nominated and supported by people who know the organisation well. It is truly uplifting for the work of the organisation to be recognised in this way. The Queen’s Award panel receive many deserving nominations and select only those organisations who they believe are truly exceptional. The Charity will receive a crystal award and certificate from Edward Gillespie OBE, Lord-Lieutenant of Gloucestershire, later this summer and all volunteers will receive a card and Queens Award and Cotswold Friends pin badges. Furthermore, two volunteers will be offered the opportunity to attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace in May 2022 (depending on restrictions at the time).