Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service
Y Services for Young People receives the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service
Y Services are proud to announce this morning that we have been honoured with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the United Kingdom.
Y Services for Young People was founded in 2011. Our mission is to support and develop the delivery of quality youth work that meets the needs of local children and young people.
Y Services deliver a range of projects across Fareham, Gosport, Havant, Winchester and parts of Portsmouth that support children and young people in their local communities. Last year we had over 12,000 attendances at our youth projects.
Young people today are having to face increased challenges and pressures and our staff and projects aim to provide opportunities to support them. We provide opportunities for young people to stay safe, be healthy, make a positive contribution and enjoy and achieve.
We are one of 281 charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive the prestigious award this year. The number of nominations and awards has increased year on year since the awards were introduced in 2002, so we are deeply honoured to have been nominated and to receive the honour.
Chairman of Trustees, Andy Kennedy:
Everyone at Y Services is incredibly proud to receive the Queens Award for Voluntary Service. The energy and dedication shown by our volunteers and staff is an incredible asset in our work with young people. This award is a wonderful thank you for their work and commitment since our launch as a charity in 2011.
Councillor Seán Woodward, Leader of Fareham Borough Council
The work carried out by Y-Services is truly inspiring and, for young people in the Borough of Fareham, on occasion life-changing. Support to young people at vulnerable times in their lives is critical. So is giving help and encouragement to the many children who are simply seeking productive outlets for their energy and enthusiasm. Y-Services provides this in spades and I offer my heartiest congratulations on behalf of the Council to them.
Councillor Mrs. Connie Hockley of Fareham Borough Council and Patron of Y-Services:
\’Since Y-Services\’ inception in 2011 I have watched it develop and grow into what is now a highly respected voluntary organisation which gives support, encouragement and a listening ear to many of our young people some of whom are going through tough times. I have seen first-hand young people\’s lives transformed by the work undertaken by Y-Services and I am delighted that this has been recognised by being awarded a Queen\’s Award for Voluntary Services. Well done and best wishes to everyone involved in this organisation; a honour well deserved.\’
We will be celebrating this Award with our volunteers and staff later this month. We will be presented with the Award later this summer by the Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire. Thank you on behalf of all at Y Services for your support since 2011.