New Neighbours Together receives The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service

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New Neighbours Together, a grassroots charity in Burnley providing care and support to asylum seekers and refugees, has been awarded The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. This is the highest award a local voluntary group can receive in the UK, equivalent to an MBE, and New Neighbours Together is the first charity supporting asylum seekers and refugees to receive this award in Lancashire.

New Neighbours Together started working with asylum seekers and refugees in Burnley in 2017. They provide practical and emotional support; improving access to services and helping people lead fulfilling lives as fully integrated members of the local community. Currently supporting over 250 people, the team of around 25 volunteers are extremely proud to have achieved this award in recognition of their ongoing dedication to helping asylum seekers and refugees in Burnley.

“We were so pleased to be nominated for a Queens Award for Voluntary Service, never dreaming that we would be selected to receive this coveted and prestigious accolade. I am honoured and delighted to accept this on behalf of our wonderful volunteers, community partners, supporters, and of course clients – many of whom have gone on to become volunteers themselves. Working together we are building happier, stronger communities here in Burnley, where all can thrive and prosper.”

Ruth Haygarth, chief executive officer

The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service recognises outstanding work by local volunteer groups to benefit their communities. It was created in 2002 to celebrate The Queen’s Golden Jubilee. Recipients are announced each year on 2 June, the anniversary of The Queen’s Coronation.

New Neighbours Together will receive the award crystal and certificate from the Lord-Lieutenant of Lancashire later this summer. In addition, two representatives will attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace in May 2023, along with other recipients of this year’s Award.

Notes to editors

  1. Lord-Lieutenants represent the monarch in each of the UK’s ceremonial counties.
  2. This year there are 244 recipients of The Queen’s Award Voluntary Service from across the UK and Channel Islands.
  3. More information on the recipients and the Award can be found at https://qavs.dcms.gov.uk/
  4. Full details on how to nominate are available at https://qavs.dcms.gov.uk/
  5. Nominations for the 2023 awards close on 15 September 2022.

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