Rennie Grove’s volunteers receive ultimate honour

Rennie Grove Hospice Care’s 1,500-strong team of volunteers has been awarded the ultimate honour available for volunteer groups, The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service 2017.

Created in 2002 to celebrate the anniversary of The Queen’s coronation, The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service is the highest award given to local volunteer groups across the UK to recognise outstanding work done in their own communities. It is the MBE for volunteer groups.

Jenny Provin, Chief Executive of Rennie Grove Hospice Care said:

“We are so proud and delighted that our volunteers have been honoured in this way. Volunteers underpin everything we do at Rennie Grove and make invaluable contributions throughout the organisation. Without them we simply would not be able to provide our high quality services to support adults, children and families in the local community coping with life-limiting illness.”

Operating in a wide variety of roles including trustees, van drivers, complementary therapists, Family Support listeners, shop assistants, receptionists, office helpers and event marshals, over 1,500 volunteers give around 140,000 hours of their time to help the charity every year. An evaluation project undertaken last year put a conservative estimate of the value of this time at £1.5 million.

Jenny continued:

“Every year we say a heartfelt thank you to our volunteers but it always feels a little inadequate, so it is particularly special that the scale of their contribution has now been recognised with this award.”

The Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshire, as The Queen’s representative, will be arranging to present a certificate, signed by The Queen, and a commemorative crystal at a local ceremony over the coming months.

As patient numbers rise, Rennie Grove is always seeking more volunteers to join its friendly, dedicated team. Sue and the team at the charity’s shop on Wendover High Street are particularly keen to hear from people willing to spare a few hours each week. Meet new people, learn new skills and make a difference in the heart of your community. Pop into the shop, call 01442 890222 or visit www.renniegrove.org/volunteer to find out more.