PODS Charity, based in Telford & Wrekin recognised with Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service for
2022, the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Year
A voluntary group from Telford & Wrekin who work with families of disabled children and young
people has been honoured with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award a
voluntary group can receive in the UK.
PODS has been running for fourteen years, and delivers a unique offer to families by involving them
in decisions about how services are developed and co-produced via it’s Parent Carer Forum, wider
PODS Charity work that has strengthened through the years includes support through membership
communications, newsletters and ebulletins, family groups, befriending and emotional support,
inclusive events and trips, training for professionals and parent carers, alongside fundraising to
support our sustainability.
Through the work they do with the families, a wide range of experienced Parent Reps, Befrienders,
Volunteers and Supporters have been recruited and trained to provide support and offer their own
personal expertise to the wider work of PODS Charity.
PODS (Parents Opening Doors) is one of the 244 charities, social enterprises, and voluntary groups to
receive this prestigious award this year. The number of awards has increased since last year, due to
increase in high quality applications, showing that the voluntary sector is thriving and full of
innovative ideas to tackle community challenges. PODS is delighted to receive this award, alongside
other organisations in the local area including East Shropshire Talking Newspaper and Shropshire
Rural Support.
PODS is proud to be able to empower their volunteers, with training opportunities, confidence
building, peer support and mentoring – all skills that are recognised as truly important to our
volunteer’s success.
The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service is the highest award given to local volunteer groups across
the UK to recognise outstanding work in their communities. The awards were created in 2002 to
celebrate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee and winners are announced each year on 2 June – the
anniversary of the Queen’s Coronation.
As part of the formal awards evening on the 18th August, held at World Heritage Site Ironbridge
Gorge, over sixty PODS Charity supporters, volunteers and staff in attendance, where the Chair of
Trustees, Jon Mills, received the award from Lord Lieutenant of Shropshire. The formal process
included reading of the citation and passing over of a Certificate and Crystal award signed by Her
Royal Highness The Queen. Jon Mills, Chair of Trustees said: “I would like to take this opportunity to
sincerely thank the PODS team and all our volunteers for their enthusiasm and endless desire to help
and support as many families as possible, the impact they have personally made on the lives of PODS
families is truly remarkable”.
The Vice Lord Lieutenant of Shropshire awarded each of the volunteers with a pin badge. As part of
the QAVS, a volunteer has been given the opportunity to attend The Queen’s Garden Party, with the
Chair of Trustees. Jenny Smith had this to say about it: “I’m so happy to be part of PODS team and to volunteer as a befriender, and very honoured to be awarded the opportunity to go to The Queen’s Garden Party; I love speaking to my befriendees and being an ear to listen when things are hard and letting them know they are not alone”.
One of our longest serving Parent Reps, Simon Buckley-Robins said: “Being involved in PODS is so
rewarding, knowing that as a parent carer myself, we understand how people feel and what they go
through and being able to help them continue to live a full life and be their voice”.
A newer volunteer, Irene Gaut, who supports regularly said: “I have been a volunteer for PODS for
about two years, all the staff are so friendly, it so rewarding to see all the children enjoying
themselves on all the events that PODS put on”.
Elaine Pearce, Project Manager said:
“This is such a marvellous, wonderful thing to happen for us and to showcase the work of so many of
our volunteers, recognising their commitment and generosity and highlighting the importance of our
charity work”.
Minister for Civil Society and Youth Nigel Huddleston said:
“Our volunteers give up their time to help others and The Queens’s Award for Voluntary Service
recognises their selfless acts of generosity and kindness”
Sir Martyn Lewis, QAVS Chair said:
I warmly congratulate all the outstanding voluntary groups who have been rewarded with a Queen’s
Award for Voluntary Service this year. The level of commitment and innovation shown by these
volunteers is truly impressive. We owe a debt of gratitude to them, and the countless others who
five up their free time regularly to improve the lives of others in their community”
Notes to editors
Lord Lieutenants are the monarch’s representatives in their lieutenancy, who cover all areas of the
UK.
This year there were 244 winners of The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. More information on
the winners can be found at the London Gazette:
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/awards-and-accreditation/content/queens-award-for-voluntary-service-2022
For Press enquiries
Elaine Pearce, Project Manager, elaine@podstelford.org
Photographs for use: Group photo of volunteers, Award to Chair of Trustees
PODS (Parents Opening Doors) Charity, Suite 14 Hazeldine House, Central Square, Telford, TF3 4JL
Charity Registration 1150871
