Volunteer groups in Knowsley have been presented with The King’s Award for Voluntary Service – the highest honour awarded to local volunteer groups in the UK.
Three organisations from Knowsley were among 16 Merseyside groups who heard last year that they would receive the award.
Now the Lord Lieutenant of Merseyside has visited the borough to present the awards to two of the local groups – Safari Kids Club in Stockbridge Village and Eco Therapy Garden in Kirkby. He was accompanied by Knowsley Mayor Cllr Ken McGlashan and Council Leader Cllr Graham Morgan. 
The third group, Breast Mates Cancer Support in Prescot, will receive their award next month.
The King’s Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS) is the equivalent to an MBE for volunteer groups in the UK and is awarded for life.
Find out more about the three local organisations receiving the King’s Award for Voluntary Service.
The Eco Therapy Garden CIC
Based in Tower Hill, the community therapy garden works within the Kirkby community to improve the health and wellbeing of residents. It aims to tackle social isolation and mental health issues by providing a therapy garden and the combined services of talking and eco therapies, promoting gardening skills and environmental conservation are promoted.
Safari Kids Club
Safari Kids Club is a long-established voluntary group providing valuable provision for families in Stockbridge Village. Every Saturday they deliver a popular session that 70 children and their families attend at Volair Stockbridge. Each session is full of fun, dance, sport, positive interactives, craft and much more. Additionally, they have set up a recycled school uniform scheme, run a warm hub café two days a week and support families with holiday provision activities throughout the year.
Breast Mates Cancer Support
Breast Mates is a Prescot-based non-medical breast cancer support group which provides support and information to people with breast cancer in Knowsley and the surrounding areas. The charity offers one-to-one help, weekly walk and talk meetings, social events, exercise classes and monthly meetings for people with a secondary breast cancer diagnosis.
Cllr Graham Morgan, Leader of Knowsley Council, said: “We are so fortunate in Knowsley to have so many wonderful and dedicated people who volunteer their time to help others and help improve their lives. The King’s Award is a fitting accolade for the commitment they show to our communities. On behalf of Knowsley Council I offer my sincere congratulations and gratitude to these organisations in our borough.”