Volunteers from a community project based at a parish in Oldham have been granted the King’s Award for Voluntary Service.
The Bee Together Community Centre and Garden, based at the Parish of the Nativity in Failsworth and Limeside, has been given the award, which is the highest a local voluntary group can receive in the UK and the equivalent to an MBE.
The group was also awarded its third North West in Bloom Award in as many years recently and is now delighted to receive this latest accolade.
Pauline Riley, parishioner and parish coordinator, said the group was was “beyond delighted” to receive the award.
She added: "Our parish set out on a small garden project in 2019 and it's just been amazing to see how it has grown and developed to become a real hub for our community, welcoming volunteers and visitors of all faiths from across the area."
In just five years, a team of about a dozen volunteers have transformed a disused space into a beautiful community garden, providing a habitat for local wildlife, nurturing homegrown produce to be donated to local families and foodbanks and forging education links with schools in the area.
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The addition of the community centre has also provided people with a place to build connections and friendships through its weekly "Cuppa Club", while its Pantry Service distributes food to people in need of a helping hand across the community.
Volunteers are also on hand to help with emergency furniture, assistance with school applications, and signposting to different agencies or charities that can offer further support.
Canon Michael Job, parish priest at the Parish of the Nativity, said: "Our project began five years ago in response to a call from Pope Francis to better care for community and common home.
"Step-by-step, we've come together to put our faith into action, to consider the needs of the world around us and how we could use the skills and resources we have to promote a culture of friendship, fraternity, and fairness for creation and all people."
Representatives of the Bee Together Community Centre and Garden will receive the award crystal and certificate from the Lord Lieutenant of Greater Manchester, Diane Hawkins, in due course, before two volunteers will be invited to attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace next summer.
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