We are delighted to announce that we have been awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service for 30 years of improving wellbeing in BAME communities of North Manchester. This award is the MBE for voluntary organisations and is the highest award given to volunteer groups across the UK. We were awarded the accolade in 2020, but the presentation was postponed until May 2022 due to the pandemic.
We are a user-led charity that works with local people mainly, older people, women and families from marginalised communities living with long-term health conditions, poverty and economic pressures. Based at Woodville Sure Start Centre on the border of Cheetham and Crumpsall, in the heart of the community. The charity offers well-being support through a variety of activities including yoga, exercise and group work to address isolation and create connections and friendships.
On 18th May 2022, I accompanied our senior volunteer Danny Grant, 83, to the Queen’s Garden Party to celebrate the honour. It was such an honour to receive this accolade. It’s a massive achievement for Hopewell, for our volunteers and the local people and this award is for them!
The party at Buckingham Palace was lovely. Danny and I really enjoyed it. It’s not every day you get to do something like that. It was an honourable experience and definitely something to tell the grandchildren.
We would like to acknowledge Cllr Naeem Ul Hassan of Cheetham Ward and Paul Griffiths Deputy Lieutenant GM for supporting the nomination for this prestigious award. Cllr Hassan has always recognised the hard work and achievements of Hopewell and its deep-rooted connections to its communities, and everyone at Hopewell is eternally grateful for the support and acknowledgement from Cllr Hassan.
Our services/activities are inclusive, and we have a diverse mix of participants with a large proportion coming from South Asian and Afro-Caribbean backgrounds. Many of our users are living with long-term health conditions, but we also support people with housing issues, people facing domestic abuse, and families with a number of issues and in adverse situations. We do not turn anyone away, and if we are unable to assist directly, we direct people to those who can. We have developed relationships with local organisations to ensure that whoever walks through the door gets the help they need that is appropriate and timely.
Our work and effort have been relentless ever since we were founded, and this award shows that we are on the right track. We are so proud of the volunteers who are recognised through this award, and we will continue to be proud of them. Without them, we wouldn’t be able to provide you with the services we have.
Here’s to another 30 years of serving our communities, working with our wonderful partners, local voluntary and community organisations, our elected members and – most of all – our wonderful volunteers. Without them, none of this would have ever been possible.
If you want to become a volunteer, head on over to our Volunteer page and send over your CV and availability. We look forward to working with you.
