Last week saw two of our incredible Rochdale member organisations receive the prestigious King’s Award for Voluntary Service. Action Together would like to congratulate local charity Jolly Josh and Community Interest Company, Aspire 2 Inspire Communities on their achievement.
The King's Award for Voluntary Service celebrates the outstanding work of local volunteer groups across the UK who are truly outstanding and making a big difference to their local community. It was first introduced in 2002 to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee and was then known as The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. This accolade is the highest award given to local voluntary groups across the UK and is recognised as being equivalent to an MBE. Once an organisation has received the award they are awarded it for life.
It has been wonderful to work alongside both of our member organisations as they've worked hard to achieve this success. We are thrilled that they have been recognised for their outstanding voluntary contributions, and this award is testament to their heartfelt hard work and commitment.
If you're a member organisation of Action Together and have recently received the King's Award for Voluntary Service, please get in touch! Email us at: info@actiontogether.org.uk
Jolly Josh
Based in Castleton, Jolly Josh is charity that provides dedicated peer support and safe spaces for children and young adults, families, and carers of children with profound multiple learning disabilities, complex, and special needs. Established in 2017 by devoted mum Carole in memory of her 15-month-old son Joshua James, the charity is a beacon of light for many families across Rochdale, delivering support and services in a multitude of ways from stay and play sessions to time in their hydrotherapy pool.
We have been proud to work alongside Jolly Josh throughout their journey, offering our support as they developed their policies, procedures and ways of working. We were delighted to support their important work with almost £10,000 in funding from our Rochdale Respond, Repair, Recover fund, as well as connecting Jolly Josh with further national funding opportunities.
Centre Manager, Sarah Ford said;
"We are delighted to have been awarded one of the very first Kings Awards. Not only for the volunteers that work with our children and families on a daily basis, but for all the volunteers that worked so hard fundraising, banging the drum and knocking on doors to enable us to open our very own centre in Rochdale for Children and Young people living with Complex medical needs, and physical disabilities, along with parents, carers and siblings. We are so proud to have our place to call home where families Connect, Support and Thrive."
To learn more about the utterly amazing work that takes place at Jolly Josh, support them with a donation, or join their volunteer team, take a look at their website: https://www.jollyjosh.co.uk/
Aspire 2 Inspire Communities
Established in 2019, Aspire 2 Inspire Communities are based in the centre of Rochdale and their charitable activities provide benefit to youth and community members who are from socially and economically deprived backgrounds.
They deliver a wide programme of initiatives including; workshops focussing on community cohesion; mental health; education; youth empowerment; community empowerment; providing support to members to help them come out of isolation, build their confidence and integrate more. In addition, they organise many community events such as family fun days; community competitions; award ceremonies and much more.
If you'd like to find out more about the wide range of offers Aspire 2 Inspire have, check out their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100066770730817
