FOUR hard-working community organisations in the Dudley borough were celebrating today after being honoured by the King.

Access in Dudley, Friends of Saltwells Nature Reserve, We Love Carers and Halesowen in Bloom have all been awarded the prestigious King’s Award for Voluntary Service, it was announced today (Thursday November 14) on His Majesty’s 76th birthday.

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

Access in Dudley was formed by a small group of people with disabilities to campaign for better access to services, transport and buildings.

Chairperson Tina Boothroyd said "We are deeply humbled to receive this wonderful award. Our incredible small group of volunteers with a range of disabilities ably assisted by able-bodied volunteers only ever wanted to improve the lives of those who have to live anything but a 'normal' life on a daily basis.

“This is an absolute tribute to our amazing team over the years including those we've sadly lost along the way.”

Access in DudleyAccess in Dudley's chairperson Tina Boothroyd, left, and secretary Anne Nicholls, right (Image: Access in Dudley)

Friends of Saltwells Nature Reserve are local volunteers who organise conservation work groups to preserve and improve the nature reserve in Netherton for future generations; they host regular free events including family craft activities and self-guided trails plus walks and talks.

Les Drinkwater, chairperson of the Friends group, said: “All the volunteers are enormously proud to have their hard work and dedication to Saltwells recognised in this way.”

Friends of Saltwells Nature Reserve volunteersFriends of Saltwells Nature Reserve volunteers (Image: Friends of Saltwells Nature Reserve)

We Love Carers, based at the Mary Stevens Centre, Stourbridge, supports unpaid carers and their families across Dudley and also runs playschemes for children with disabilities and additional needs.

CEO Rachael Gardener said “We are over the moon that our volunteers and the work that they do has been recognised. Our charity survives because of the support that our volunteers give in supporting local unpaid carers, fundraising and working at our centre in Stourbridge. They are all amazing people and really deserve this recognition.”

We Love Carers volunteers at the Mary Stevens Centre in Stourbridge We Love Carers volunteers at the Mary Stevens Centre in Stourbridge (Image: We Love Carers)

Halesowen in Bloom is a community group dedicated to creating floral displays to make Halesowen an attractive place to live, work and visit.

A spokesperson said: “We are so excited to announce that Halesowen in Bloom have been awarded the Kings Award in the birthday honours. Well done to everyone.”

L-r - Graham Carlington-Hyde (HiB treasurer), Eve O'Connor (HiB chair), Hilary Bills (secretary HiB) and Vicky Shakespeare (BID manager)L-r - Graham Carlington-Hyde (HiB treasurer), Eve O'Connor (HiB chair), Hilary Bills (secretary HiB) and Vicky Shakespeare (BID manager) (Image: Handout)

The Mayor of Dudley, Councillor Hilary Bills, has congratulated the four groups – two of which have a special place in her heart.

She said: “I would like to send my warmest congratulations to all four organisations on receiving such a prestigious accolade from His Majesty the King.

“Two of them are particularly close to my heart, and I am absolutely delighted that Access in Dudley and Halesowen in Bloom have been recognised for the work they do in our community.

“To have four of the 19 organisations recognised across the whole West Midlands come from our borough is a real testament to the work being done by volunteers here.

“It is a fitting tribute to their dedication and efforts in helping local people.”

The groups are among 281 nationally to have received the award, which recognises the contribution of volunteers in local communities.

It was created in 2002 to celebrate the late Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee and was continued following the accession of King Charles III.

The Dudley charities will receive their awards from the Lord-Lieutenant of the West Midlands, the King’s representative, at a later date.