Royal recognition once more for GVS
THE Guernsey Voluntary Service said it was honoured to have received further recognition from the Queen to attain The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.
Called the Women’s Voluntary Service originally, in 1966 in recognition of its service it was granted the honour of adding ‘royal’ to the title by the Queen, becoming the Women’s Royal Voluntary Service.
However, it lost this when it changed to become the GVS. Now its new royal recognition will mean so much to the volunteers.
GVS manager Mandy Le Bachelet said she could not wait to share the news with all of the volunteers.
‘We are delighted that the work our volunteers carry out for the older people in our community has been recognised by The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service,’ she said.
‘Their dedication in helping at our day centres, Darby and Joan social club, blood donor calling service, the Royal Court tea bar, the summer show rest tents and finally Meals on Wheels is the only reason we, as an organisation, can survive.
‘Especially in these unprecedented times, it is even more important for us to deliver Meals on Wheels to those who need a regular hot meal.
‘It fills me with pride to know that we can rely on so many of our volunteers to make sure this happens and to receive The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service at the end of our 70th anniversary is the icing on the cake.’
GVS has been active in Guernsey and Alderney since 1949 and its primary commitment is to older people, perhaps being best-known for coordinating and providing volunteers for the Meals on Wheels service.
It also has two day centres for the elderly within the community and two afternoon Darby and Joan social clubs.
It also assists the pathology department at the PEH with a blood donor calling service, as well as providing rest tents at both the West and North shows, refreshments at the Royal Court and a trolley shop and a bathing service at Le Grand Courtil home.
Representatives of the GVS will receive the award from Lt-Governor Vice Admiral Sir Ian Corder later this summer.
Furthermore, two volunteers from the GVS will attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace in May 2021, along with other recipients of this year’s award.
