A CHARITY that organises days out, short breaks, meetings and provides support to adults with learning and/or physical disabilities has received the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK.
Colwyn Gateway Club has been presented with The 2021 Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.
The award, in recognition of outstanding voluntary work in the community, has been given to 15 organisations in Wales, as the UK Minister for Civil Society and Youth hailed volunteers as “the backbone of local communities” during the national recovery from Covid-19.
Colwyn Gateway Club provide a safe and friendly environment for adults with learning and/or physical disabilities to meet and make new friends in Rhos on Sea.
Paul Wild, chairman, said: “I'm ecstatic about the award. It is nice to be recognised. I found out in April but I couldn’t say anything. On June 2, I put it out on our social media.
The cake Colwyn Gateway Club had made as a thank you. Members and volunteers shared the cake.
"We are all delighted. We all met up on the prom and had a cake with the Queen's Award logo.
"The heavens opened up but we had umbrellas. About 20 people came."
Colwyn Gateway Club has 65 members and 12 volunteers.
"We meet at the church hall on Rhos Road. Last March, I made the decision to close the club. I was getting a bit concerned and then within a couple of weeks, everything closed so it was the right decision.
"We have kept in touch through our What’s App group, Twitter, text messages and we meet when we can.
"We started having social distanced meet ups in August last year, towards the back end of the month. We had masks and it was a bit awkward but we still met."
Paul became involved in the club about 30 years ago.
Barbara Thomas cutting the cake with Zak and Ann ( volunteers in the background).
"Sometimes, you know that feeling when you finish work and it hasn't been the best day, and then you go and help people with disabilities, it is a relief and you realise your day hasn’t been so bad after all. It is just nice to help people.
"We have a fantastic bunch of volunteers. This award is for everyone, and everyone who has volunteered, past and present."
Pat Thomas was a founding member of the club more than 35 years ago. She died in January 2021.
"This award, I would like to dedicate to Pat," Paul said.
"I would also like to mention Bryan and Barbara Thomas.
"Barbara and her late husband Bryan gave an incredible 41 years of their time volunteering for Colwyn Gateway Club and certainly helped lay the foundations for our club.
"Barbara celebrated with us on Wednesday and cut the cake.
Members, support staff, parents and the "best volunteers ever" on a week-long trip to Blackpool.
"I would also like to mention Dei Williams who is the club leader and is a fantastic organiser. A lot also goes on behind the scenes; my wife Ann for example is secretary.
"We have the most loyal and reliable volunteers and the club is lucky to have them."
Sir Martyn Lewis, The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service Independent Committee Chair, said: "There is no finer example of democracy in action than people getting together at a local level to tackle a problem or issue at the heart of their community. This year’s magnificent award winning groups touch virtually every area of need across our society.
“They also highlight the growing and key role which volunteers are playing in times of rapid change and unprecedented challenges. Whether driven by a neighbourly passion to help others or to achieve that well recognised “high” of personal satisfaction, volunteering taps into a rich spirit of generosity, ingenuity and kindness. The Queen’s Award’s judges are proud to honour the achievements of those who help to make our country great.”
Club leader Dei Williams
Simon Hart, secretary of State for Wales, said: "It is incredible that the volunteers and groups honoured in these awards have managed to pull together - even during the unprecedented year we have had - to help, look after and educate others across Wales.
“Each and every individual and group receiving this award should feel extremely proud. Their kindness and generosity is palpable within the communities they serve and I congratulate them for their work.”
Baroness Barran, minister for Civil Society, said: “I’m extremely grateful for the work being carried out by volunteers across the country, and this prestigious award is extremely well deserved. I’d like to congratulate all of the winners, and thank them for the dedication to their communities.
“In these challenging times, charities, social enterprises and their volunteers have been the backbone of local communities.
“Recent research has shown that 99 per cent of people who have volunteered report positive personal benefits, including a sense of purpose, achievement and feeling as though they are making a difference.
"I hope this award inspires people and I encourage everyone to consider how they could volunteer in some way.”
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