Princes Park Garden Centre receives the King’s Award for Voluntary Service.
Princes Park Garden Centre’s group of Volunteers based in Irlam, Salford have just been awarded the King’s Award for Voluntary Service. This is the highest award a local voluntary group can receive in the UK and is equivalent to an MBE.
Princes Park Garden Centre is a fully operational garden centre which offers work placements to adults with Learning Disabilities. On a day-to-day basis, it offers a range of activities, tasks and work, however without the amazing team of volunteers this would not be possible. The wonderful group of learners can learn practical skills in the workshop, retail skills or get involved in local moss land regeneration and it is the volunteers at Princes Park Garden Centre who ensure that the group achieve their potential in a happy and caring environment.
Princes Park Garden Centre is one of 262 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 benefit their communities. It was created in 2002 to celebrate Queen Elizabeth IIs Golden Jubilee and, following his accession, His Majesty the King emphasised his desire to continue the award.
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.
Representatives from Princes Park Garden Centre will receive the award crystal and certificate from Dianne Hawkins, Lord Lieutenant of Greater Manchester later this summer, in addition two volunteers from Princes Park Garden Centre will attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace in May and June 2024, along with other recipients of this year's awards. In conjunction with this Princes Park Garden Centre will be hosting their own Garden Party, enabling everybody involved to join in the celebration of this fantastic achievement.
Leigh Matts, Operational Manager says “I am absolutely delighted that the hard work and commitment of the volunteers here at Princes Park Garden Centre has been recognised at such a high level, their work is invaluable to the provision of service which we are able to offer to adults with learning disabilities and to the wider community. Everybody involved should be immensely proud of this accolade”
