A VOLUNTARY group in Broadway has been awarded The King’s Award for Voluntary Service for 2024.

The award, which is being given to Signpost Broadway, is the highest that can be given to a voluntary group in the UK and is the equivalent to an MBE.

Signpost offers a wide range of services, delivered exclusively by volunteers.

These include offering people a confidential, safe space; health-related training courses and combating loneliness by creating social interaction opportunities through the Volunteer Hub.

Volunteers run a bereavement drop-in cafe; assist with IT, official forms and applications; help the local food bank and provide office space for other helping agencies including Relate, Citizens Advice, West Mercia Police and Age UK.

Signpost Broadway is one of 281 local charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive The King’s Award for Voluntary Service this year.

The award aims to recognise outstanding work by local volunteer groups to support their communities.

It was created in 2002 to celebrate the late Queen’s Golden Jubilee and was continued following the accession of The King. 2024 marks the second year of The King’s Award for Voluntary Service.

Recipients are announced annually on November 14. The King’s Birthday Award winners this year are described as “wonderfully diverse” and include volunteer groups from across the UK, including 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, 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 Signpost Broadway will receive the award crystal and certificate from Beatrice Grant, Lord-Lieutenant of Worcestershire.

In addition, two volunteers from Signpost Broadway will attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace in 2025, along with other recipients of this year’s award.

Helen Rushmore, chair of Signpost Broadway, said: “I am thrilled that our group’s work has been recognised with this prestigious award.

“This is a wonderful recognition of 25 years of dedicated and selfless service by our volunteers.

"We would also like to say a big thank you to Wychavon District Council and Worcestershire County Council for their tremendous help and support over the years.”