Two King’s Award for Voluntary Service winners crowned in Worcestershire

This is the highest award a local voluntary group can receive in the UK and is equivalent to an MBE.

The two Worcestershire recipients, Signpost Broadway and The Wheely Different Theatre Company are among 281 local charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive the prestigious award this year.

Signpost offers a wide and diverse range of services to the community, delivered exclusively by volunteers in a caring and empowering manner.

Some of these include: enabling clients to solve problems in a confidential, safe space; offering health-related training courses; combating loneliness by creating social interaction opportunities through the Volunteer Hub; helping the grieving with a Bereavement Drop-In cafe; assistance with IT, official forms and applications; assisting the local Foodbank and providing office space for other helping agencies including Relate; Citizens Advice; West Mercia Police and Age UK.

Mrs. Helen Rushmore, Chair of Signpost Broadway, said: “I am thrilled that our group’s work has been recognised with this prestigious award. This is a wonderful recognition of twenty-five years of dedicated and selfless service by our volunteers.”

The second winner, is the Wheely Different Theatre Company, a group of volunteer performers based in Kidderminster and Stourport.

Wheely Different provide performance opportunities for adults who need extra support due to differing abilities and are well known for their creative and  inspiring productions. Their productions and workshops aim to help improve confidence and self esteem through the power of dance and drama.

The group leader, Elaine Kirby is a qualified ParaDance UK wheelchair and ParaDance instructor and a Keep Fit Association (KFA) teacher.

Elaine specialises in exercise for disabled adults and last year was honoured to receive a KFA Volunteer Teacher of the Year Award 2023. Her daughter Eleanor Mouzer holds a degree in Performing Arts and oversees Wheely Different’s drama productions.

Elaine said: ''I am so delighted the work of the group has been recognised. Although it is free to join us, part of the membership is on the basis that you are a team player and we all work hard to meet our aims. Without the volunteers working together, the show would not go on. This award is tribute to all their effort. Both Eleanor and myself could not be prouder of what everyone has achieved so far.”
 

The Lord-Lieutenant of Worcestershire, Mrs Beatrice Grant will present Signpost and the Wheely Different Theatre Company with their award crystal and certificate.

On the award winners and the recognition received, Mrs Beatrice Grant, Lord-Lieutenant of Worcestershire, said: “It’s absolutely wonderful that both Signpost Broadway and The Wheely Different Theatre Company, have been recognised for the work they do and the differences they make to their local communities. They are both truly inspirational, and I look forward to seeing them to present them with their award in the near future.”

Two volunteers from each group will attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace in May and June 2025, along with other recipients of this year’s Award.

Recipients are announced annually on 14 November, The King’s Birthday.

The King’s Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS) aims to recognise outstanding work by local volunteer groups to benefit their communities. It was created in 2002 to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee and, following his accession, His Majesty The King emphasised his desire to continue the Award.

If you know of a voluntary organisation who go above and beyond in what they do, please contact the Worcestershire Lieutenancy or visit the King’s Award for Voluntary Service website.