Royal award for voluntary sector worker
ABIG-HEARTED volunteer from Runcorn has received royal recognition as the group he serves was honoured with a Queen’s Award.
James Wilkinson, 71, of Older People Active Lives (OPAL), said he was glad to have been able to help members during lockdown.
The Queen’s Award For Voluntary Service is the highest award in the voluntary sector. OPAL was set up in 2011 and aims to support older Cheshire residents in rural areas to maintain vibrant lives.
Services include activity clubs, one-to-one respite care, cooking and craft sessions and IT support programmes.
The group adapted quickly to the pandemic lockdown by implementing a regular telephone befriending service, Zoom online gatherings and news for members.
An OPAL spokeswoman said that combined with its GoOnLine service, which helps older people to navigate the internet, the work has been ‘of enormous benefit’ to those who would otherwise be lonely and isolated.
The group was presented with its award by Lord Lieutenant Of Cheshire David Briggs MBE at a ‘virtual event’, which had been delayed due to the pandemic.
OPAL also received a signed certificate from the Queen and an invitation to the Royal Garden Party next year.
Congratulating the group, the Lord Lieutenant said: “OPAL Services truly is a remarkable organisation which provides what I can only describe as a lifeline for older residents in rural villages throughout west Cheshire. Thanks to their team of very special volunteers it puts smiles on people’s faces and it brings happiness and purpose back into the lives of many.”
Mr Wilkinson said: “I’m so glad we’ve been able to support our members during lockdown – we all have a rich tapestry of life that we’re able to share and are forming close bonds with the people we call.
“My member describes my befriending chats as ‘keeping him sane’ as he’s seen his usual social network diminish temporarily during lockdown.”