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Bolton NEWT receives The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service
Many congratulations to the volunteers of Bolton North East Wildlife Trail (NEWT). The Breightmet based group has just been honoured with The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. It’s the highest award a local voluntary group can receive in the UK and is equivalent to an MBE.
Bolton NEWT engages the community in collaboration, improvement and practical conservation of local wildlife. Volunteers lead the way in managing a community growing hub where they grow and donate surplus food to food banks. They also manage the wildlife habitats at Leverhulme Park, host large community events that are free for people to enjoy, and each year support Remembrance Day activities including a display on Bury Road and fund raising for the Royal British Legion.
Twice a year they plant hedgerows with local children. They joined a local resident to help create a fairy forest making over 150 fairy houses for children, provided Christmas and Halloween goodie bags during the pandemic along with helpful advice about Covid, and their outdoor events now bring together upwards of 500 people.
We’re delighted to share the news of their award and some of the examples behind this recognition that show how they make a difference.
Bolton NEWT is one of 244 local charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive the prestigious award this year.
Their work, along with others from across the UK, helps to highlight the range of ways volunteers contribute to their local communities and work to make life better for those around them.
Chris Banks, publicist for Bolton NEWT, says: “Bolton NEWT started with local residents’ litter picking Leverhulme Park, after five years, our amazing community in Breightmet has transformed our volunteer led group into becoming a food growing hub, a wildlife conservation group, a seasonal event provider and a place where residents with the desire to improve their town can come to us and we’ll work with them to make those changes they want to see. Without the time and dedication that the committee members and volunteers have given over the years, none of this would have been possible. A special thank you needs to be given to our two local Councillors Adele and Stuart, along with Simon and Jasmine for not just supporting Bolton NEWT as volunteers but as committee members, going above and beyond to make Breightmet a better place for us all.”
We’re delighted for all involved to have your voluntary work recognised at such a high level. And a huge thank you for all that you give and mean to our local community and neighbourhood. Enjoy your celebrations.
The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service aims to recognise outstanding work by local volunteer groups to benefit their communities. It was created in 2002 to celebrate The Queen’s Golden Jubilee and recipients are announced each year on 2 June, the anniversary of The Queen’s Coronation.
Bolton NEWT representatives expect to receive the award crystal and certificate from Sir Warren Smith KCVO KstJ JP appointed Lord-Lieutenant of Greater Manchester later this summer. Two volunteers also be invited to attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace in May 2023, all being well, along with other recipients of The Queen’s Award this year.
You can get more information about the group and their activities, with latest news and pictures, on Facebook (@BoltonNEWT), or via www.boltonnewt.com.