A FOWEY community centre has received the highest award in the land for voluntary groups.
Squires Field Community Centre has been awarded The King’s Award for Voluntary Service for 2024, which is the equivalent to an MBE.
The vibrant, volunteer-led community group runs and hosts an intense programme of year-round, age-related activities.
Squires Field Community Centre was established in 2016 when a group of volunteers convinced the town council to let them re-purpose a neglected building and its grounds. The centre now hosts a range of activities for all ages from toddlers to the elderly.
The King’s Award for Voluntary Service aims to recognise outstanding work by local volunteer groups to support their communities. It was created in 2002 to celebrate Her Majesty The late Queen’s Golden Jubilee and, was continued following the accession of His Majesty the King. 2024 marks the second year of The King’s Award for Voluntary Service.
The citation reads: “The Squires Field Community Centre in Fowey, located in a deprived area, is entirely run by 60 dedicated volunteers.
“The centre hosts around 1,000 visits per month providing a wide range of activities for all ages from toddlers to the elderly. These include the Sunday Café, Youth Club, Food Larder, and a Micro Library, among many others. Additionally, the centre is rented out at preferential rates to various local groups such as the Brownies, Art Class, and Memory Café, leading to over 12,000 visits annually.
“Squires Field Community Centre is highly responsive to the needs of its community. For instance, they started a Men’s Café and a Croquet Club in response to concerns about loneliness and mental health among local men and in recognition of Cornwall’s high suicide rate among men aged 16 to 45.
“Squires Field Community Centre’s exceptional volunteers have created a welcoming and supportive environment that significantly improves the lives of many in the community. Their can-do attitude and commitment make the centre an indispensable resource for the people of Fowey.”
A spokesperson for Squires Field said: “We are absolutely delighted to receive the King’s Award for Voluntary Service, 2024. It’s an honour and a privilege for the volunteers past and present, to be recognised for their commitment and dedication to the community.”
Representatives from Squires Field Community Centre will receive the crystal award and certificate from Colonel Sir Edward Bolitho over the next few months.
Two volunteers from each group will attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace next year, along with other recipients of this year’s Award.
Colonel Sir Edward Bolitho KCVO OBE, Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall says: “I am delighted and proud to see six of Cornwall’s finest voluntary groups recognised with these awards. The King’s Award for Voluntary Service is the highest accolade any voluntary group can receive, given to those local voluntary groups that are truly outstanding, and which break new ground at a local and sometimes national level.
“Cornwall’s voluntary sector delivers invaluable support to our communities, selflessly, compassionately and with huge energy, reaching out to everyone in need. These six winners reflect the tremendous range and reach of the sector and this national recognition is hugely well deserved.
“My congratulations and thanks to our six exceptional winners; I salute you all!”