A team committed to supporting individuals with complex mental health needs has been awarded the highest recognition a voluntary group can receive in the UK.
The Voluntary Services team at St Andrew’s Healthcare, Essex, has been named a recipient of The King’s Award for Voluntary Service for 2024. This prestigious award celebrates the extraordinary contributions of volunteer groups that make meaningful impacts within their local communities.
Equated to an MBE, the award acknowledges the invaluable work of St Andrew’s volunteers and their positive influence on the lives of hundreds of patients.
Patient Testimonial Simon, a patient at St Andrew’s, has experienced significant benefits from the Befriending service, where volunteers regularly visit.
Simon shared: “The volunteering team has really made a difference to my recovery at St Andrew’s. Some people don’t have family and friends to visit, but I do. However, family visits can sometimes feel intense, and I often found myself putting on a brave face to avoid worrying them.
That is why having a Befriender is such a worthwhile and essential service, even for people like me who have visitors. It truly makes a difference to have a volunteer visit, as there are no expectations, and you can choose how much to share while staying connected to the outside world.”
Range of Volunteer Services St Andrew’s offers 14 volunteer-led services, including patient activity support, a weekly social club, Pets as Therapy visits, and roles within the charity’s onsite shops. Currently, 450 volunteers contribute their time across St Andrew’s three locations in Northampton, Birmingham, and Essex.
Dawn Wright, Voluntary Services Manager, stated:
“Our volunteers are incredibly generous and bring a special kind of magic to our patients, contributing to their recovery in many ways. Each volunteer brings unique qualities that cannot be replicated by staff or family.
Receiving this award highlights to our local community just how vital our volunteers are. They enhance the work of our paid colleagues by offering varied skills, experiences, and ideas, often providing one-on-one time that greatly benefits our patients. I couldn’t be prouder of them and my team for this tremendous achievement.
Volunteering at St Andrew’s benefits not only our patients but also the volunteers themselves, who often say they feel part of the St Andrew’s community, have made friends, and gained new skills. We welcome anyone with diverse backgrounds, cultures, and interests who wants to make a difference.”
A Long Tradition of Volunteering St Andrew’s volunteering legacy dates back to 1838, with the earliest known volunteer, Lord Compton – The Marquess of Northampton – recorded in 1885.
About The King’s Award for Voluntary Service Established in 2002 for The Queen’s Golden Jubilee, the award continues under His Majesty The King. Winners are announced each year on November 14, The King’s Birthday.
Dr. Vivienne McVey, CEO of St Andrew’s Healthcare, expressed:
“We’re immensely proud of this prestigious recognition. Our volunteers play an essential role in our patients’ recovery. I have seen firsthand how volunteers grow in confidence and gain skills and heard countless stories of how they have brought light and friendship to patients who may not have family or friends visiting.”
The award and certificate will be officially presented to the St Andrew’s Voluntary Services team by HM Lord-Lieutenant of Northamptonshire, James Saunders Watson Esq, next year. Additionally, two team members will attend a Buckingham Palace garden party next summer, joining other award recipients.
Winners are chosen through an extensive process involving local assessors who conduct visits and research, with reports forwarded to the National Assessment Committee, which finalizes the list for The King’s approval