Alva Development Trust have just been awarded The King’s Award for Voluntary Service. This is the highest award a local voluntary group can receive in the UK and is equivalent to an MBE.
Alva Development Trust is one of only 20 local charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups in Scotland 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.
Lord-Lieutenant Johnny Stewart commented:
“The Alva Development Trust volunteers provided an outstanding level of vital support to the community of Alva and beyond during the COVID pandemic.
Doing this from a standing start, having only just taken over the running of the Cochrane Hall from the Council, made this an even more remarkable achievement.
Since then, they have transformed a run-down but much-loved building in Alva that was due to be closed. It is now a vital hub at the centre of the community and is fully utilised and viable once more with further plans to extend the already extensive services provided.
The Trust is run entirely by volunteers of the highest quality who give phenomenal amounts of their time to provide much needed support to the disadvantaged in the community as well as providing a quality venue for many groups and organisations. The enthusiasm and dedication of all the volunteers is plain to see and the whole operation is run very efficiently.”
The King’s Award for Voluntary Service aims to recognise outstanding work by local volunteer groups to benefit their communities. It was established in 2002 to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II and, following upon his accession, the King emphasised his desire to continue the award. Recipients are announced annually on 14th November, the King’s birthday.
Representatives of Alva Development Trust will receive the award crystal and certificate from Lord-Lieutenant, Johnny Stewart, at a special ceremony early in the new year. In addition, two volunteers from the group will be invited to the garden party at Holyroodhouse in July 2024.
Mary Laing, Chairperson of Alva Development Trust says:
“I am delighted that our group’s work has been recognised, and I would like to thank all our volunteers who give so selflessly of their time to help the local community in so many ways”