North Somerset Black & Minority Ethnic Network, a group of volunteers based in Weston-super-Mare have been honoured with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK and is equivalent to an MBE.
North Somerset Black & Minority Ethnic Network is a Charity Organisation that has been running for more than thirteen years. The network promotes equality, integration and good race relations for BME Communities in all North Somerset.
The network is one of 230 charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive the prestigious award this year. The number of nominations remains high year on year, showing that the voluntary sector is thriving and full of innovative ideas to make life better for those around them. The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service aims to recognise outstanding work by volunteer groups to benefit their local communities. It was created in 2002 to celebrate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee. Recipients are announced each year on 2nd June, the anniversary of the Queen’s Coronation. Award winners this year are wonderfully diverse.
Representatives of the North Somerset Black & Minority Ethnic Network will receive the award from Mrs Annie Maw, Lord Lieutenant of Somerset later this summer. Furthermore, two volunteers from the network will attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace in May 2021, along with other recipients of this year’s Award.
The North Somerset Black & Minority Ethnic Network Chairman and owner of Pappadoms, Mr Sayd Ahmed said:
“We are delighted that the BME Network has been recognised for the positive difference it is making to the quality of life and integration of people from BME backgrounds in North Somerset. This award would not have been achieved without the hard work and commitment of our volunteers and the support from our Local Authorities and non-statutory organisations.”
Notes
1. Lord Lieutenants represent the monarch in each of the UK’s ceremonial counties.
2. This year there were 230 recipients of The Queen’s Award Voluntary Service from across the UK. More information on the recipients and the Award can be found at https://www.gov.uk/queens-award-for-voluntary-service
3. Any group of two or more people that has participated in voluntary work for more than three years can be nominated for the award. Full details on how to nominate are available at https://qavs.culture.gov.uk/
4. Nominations for the 2021 awards close on 25 September 2020.