CWR is awarded the King’s Award for Voluntary Service!

Cheltenham Welcomes Refugees (CWR) is delighted to be a 2024 recipient of The King’s Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS). Equivalent to an MBE, KAVS is the highest award given to local voluntary groups in the UK, and they are awarded for life. Each year, outstanding examples of volunteering work are celebrated through the King’s Award for Voluntary Service. This award is a wonderful tribute to the dedication and community-spirit of local volunteers that has enabled CWR to thrive over the years. 

CWR is one of 281 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 was created in 2002 to celebrate Her Majesty The late Queen’s Golden Jubilee and was continued following the accession of His Majesty The King. 2024 marks the second year of The King’s Award for Voluntary Service. Recipients are announced annually on 14th November, The King’s Birthday. 

Cheltenham Welcomes Refugees is a volunteer-run charity supporting and welcoming refugee families and asylum seekers in and around Cheltenham, and raising awareness of the issues they face. Those arriving are always keen to get involved in Cheltenham life, learn English and make friends. Local volunteers support with English classes, kids activities, football clubs, fixing bikes, providing lifts and much, much more.

Having started as a community organisation in 2015, CWR became a registered charity in 2021. There are now more than 100 volunteers actively engaged in helping CWR achieve its aims, and forming strong ties with partner organisations and businesses locally such as the Barnwood Trust, University of Gloucestershire, Cheltenham Quakers, Cheltenham Everyman and many more. 

CWR volunteer, Ibrahim, arrived in Cheltenham as an asylum seeker from Sudan but now has refugee status. He says, “I would like to give a huge thanks for all the support and everyone involved with the CWR organisation as I had a very warm welcome and now I feel it is my home. I couldn't imagine not being a part of CWR so I recently started volunteering with them.” He is thrilled to now see his work, and that of all volunteers with CWR, recognised with this prestigious award for services to volunteering. 

Maggie Powell, CWR secretary and volunteer coordinator, adds, “We are very grateful to receive this award in recognition of the years of support and welcome the people of Cheltenham have provided. We want to take this opportunity to thank all those who have helped us get to this point as we approach our 10 year anniversary next year. We have benefited from the energy and dedication of hundreds of volunteers and supporters and we are so proud of what has been achieved.”

CWR continues to look to the future, working towards an end to the hostile environment for asylum seekers, an expansion of resettlement schemes and safe routes for refugees to the UK, and for increased understanding and compassion towards those who come to the UK seeking safety and the chance at a new life. While there is lots of work to do, there is much to be hopeful about in Cheltenham.