The Ark, Bracknell Forest Council’s partner for the Community Response during the pandemic, has been awarded The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service for the volunteers’ work during COVID.

The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service is the highest award given to volunteer groups across the UK. The award is the equivalent of an MBE and recognises groups that are truly outstanding and make a real contribution to their community.

When the nation went into lockdown, many people were shielding and had no way of getting essentials such as groceries or medicines. The Ark volunteers stepped up and gave their time to help others. 

During the pandemic, around 800 community response volunteers gave up over 32,000 hours to help others within the Bracknell Forest community, providing over 16,000 essential tasks, including delivering shopping, walking dogs and over 4,000 pharmacy deliveries, enabling those who needed to, to stay safe within their homes. 

The Ark, and its volunteers, also provided invaluable information to the borough’s residents including access to health and social care services, food banks, shielding and self-isolation guidance. Often too they simply offered just a friendly face and a socially distanced chat to bring a moment of normality into someone’s life during a very difficult and testing time.

The volunteers also provided support to residents with disabilities, through a secure online group, helping to provide daily quizzes, tasks, online drama and singing activities as well as group video calls. Volunteers also helped the organisation keep in telephone contact with over 600 family carers.

In addition, the volunteers played a crucial role during surge testing in June 2021, delivering leaflets, manning the test sites and helping residents with their queries. They have also been wearing their high vis waistcoats and providing assistance at the Waitrose vaccination site, guiding the public and making sure the correct cleaning measures were adhered to and assisting in the smooth running of the site.

Cllr Paul Bettison OBE, Leader of Bracknell Forest Council, said: “Without the volunteers from The Ark, the pandemic would have been a very different experience for many of our residents. The council nominated The Ark for The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Services as we believed their selfless work deserved the highest recognition.

“We are delighted that they have received this award in honour of all their dedication to our community. We are grateful to have such a wonderful organisation within our borough and we continue to appreciate all they do.”

Andrea McCombie, Chief Executive of The Ark, said: “The volunteer team have been amazing over the last two years and I am delighted that they and the organisation have received this honour and recognition. Over 300 volunteers are still actively supporting residents still impacted by COVID, the vaccination program and our post-pandemic projects; this demonstrates their continuing dedication to their community.”