On 13th July Her Majesty’s representative, the Lord Lieutenant of Bedfordshire, Helen Nellis was the guest of honour at the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service Presentation Event. The event was held at The Bedfordshire Golf Club and the guests were welcomed to the venue by Club Captain, Tim Bailey. We were delighted to have presentations and testimonial speeches from Sabrina, one of our volunteer counsellors, staff and trustees. Several young people who have used the service gave powerful speeches about how the service has supported them through difficult and challenging times of their lives and they praised their counsellors for their caring and compassion. We also heard from two very brave volunteer fundraisers who did a sky dive to raise funds for the charity.

After the event we received so many lovely messages, including an email from Rob Oakley of the Rotary Club of Bedford Park who said:

“It was so moving to see the tributes so willingly and excellently expressed by your young clients. There was hardly a dry eye in the room and they really championed the work and value of your superb volunteers.You collectively provide extremely important work and support to so many youngsters at challenging times in their lives. Hopefully this QAVS Award will instil a strong sense of pride for work very well done whilst helping Bedfordshire Open Door progress from strength to strength.”

We would like to thank everyone who supported us in achieving this award and to those who attended the event to celebrate with us. We are immensely grateful to our volunteers, staff, trustees and most of all to the fabulous young people who use our service.