Bassetlaw: Queen’s Award for Bassetlaw Action Centre

Bassetlaw Action Centre has been announced as one of the winners of the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.

The prestigious UK honour was created by Her Majesty The Queen to mark the occasion of her Golden Jubilee in 2002.

The Award recognises outstanding voluntary contributions and sets the national benchmark for excellence in volunteering, with the work of those awarded being judged to be of the highest standard.

Bassetlaw Action Centre is a community resource, promoting the independence of older and vulnerable people through the Bassetlaw District with a variety of services.

Two other Notts-based volunteer groups - Arkwright Meadows Community Gardens and Netherfield Forum were also announced as winners.

Sir John Peace, Lord-Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire, said “I am absolutely delighted with the success of these three very worthy winners and send them all my sincere congratulations.”

“I look forward to presenting them with their Award this summer.”

The award is the highest honour that can be bestowed upon groups of volunteers who work in their local community and is the equivalent in status to an MBE.

The group was nominated by members of the public and this year saw more than 300 nominations.

Coun Alan Rhodes, Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “The work of volunteers throughout Notts is truly inspirational and I welcome this wonderful and much-deserved recognition.”

“Their role has become increasingly important in recent years, working alongside local authorities and other organisations to deliver services as council resources are diminished whilst demand increases.”

“As a Councillor for the area, I have seen the fantastic work of Bassetlaw Action Centre with older and vulnerable people at first hand and colleagues have often spoken in glowing terms about Netherfield Forum’s fantastic work with young people.”