Sustainable Newport, a group of volunteers based in Newport, Shropshire have been awarded The King’s Award for Voluntary Service for 2024. This is the highest award a local voluntary group can receive in the UK and is equivalent to an MBE.
Sustainable Newport have been pioneering innovative public engagement ideas since their inauguration in 2009. They influence others to take notice of our human impact on the natural world, enabling our sustainable future by amplifying ripples of action today which are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Sustainable Newport is one of 281 local charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive the prestigious award this year.
Their work, along with others from across the UK, reminds us of all the ways fantastic volunteers are contributing to their local communities and working to make life better for those around them.
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.
Recipients are announced annually on 14th November, The King’s Birthday. Award winners this year are wonderfully diverse and include volunteer groups from across the UK, such as a mental health and wellbeing support network for veterans and their families in Yorkshire; a group preserving a historic 12th century castle in south Wales; 6 volunteers providing English lessons for refugees in Stirling and an organisation providing opportunities to engage in the arts for people with learning disabilities in County Fermanagh.
Representatives of Sustainable Newport will receive the award crystal and certificate from Anna Turner, Lord-Lieutenant of Shropshire. In addition, two volunteers from Sustainable Newport will attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace in May and June 2025, along with other recipients of this year’s Award.
Simone Whitfield, the current Chair said: “I’m so grateful for all our volunteers who give their time towards supporting the activities of Sustainable Newport.
It was a wonderful surprise when we were nominated, and writing up the documents on what our collective impact has been on the community over the years highlighted the importance of our work. We’re always happy to welcome new volunteers and are open to collaboration opportunities to enable our sustainable future.
To join us please get in touch through the link on our website www.sustainablenewportshropshire.org
