Renewed Hope awarded the King’s Award for Voluntary Service

Volunteers attended a reception for nominee groups held at Loseley Park in July 2024. HM Lord-Lieutenant of Surrey, Mr Michael More-Molyneux, Deputy Lieutenants Peter Lee and High Sheriff His Honour Christopher Critchlow, along with some of our volunteers – Kathryn, Kim, Elizabeth, Terry, Zoe and Sam.

Renewed Hope has been awarded the prestigious Kings Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS) for its work with the homeless and vulnerable in the East Surrey area.

The King’s Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS) is the highest award given to local volunteer groups across the UK. The Award seeks to recognise groups that are volunteer driven, making an outstanding impact in their local community, and when viewed across the UK, exceptional at a national level. The Award is equivalent to an MBE and is awarded for life.

The charity has been awarded because all our services are run almost entirely run by volunteers with more than 200 helpers giving their time at the charity’s Drop-In day centre supported by only 4 members of staff.
As the charity approaches its busiest season, the news couldn’t have come at a more significant time.

Chair of Trustees Sam Ferrar said: “We are very honoured to receive this award. We could not run any of projects without our volunteers, something we are very proud of.
“Our services work on the principle that the unjudging acceptance of volunteers as they welcome isolated and vulnerable guests is essential in breaking down barriers.
“There is something very special when people give up their precious time to help those in most need and we have seen lives transformed by the unique contribution volunteers bring.
“Our year-round Drop-In day centre is run by over 200 volunteers serving hot meals and providing a non-judgmental welcome to the most vulnerable.
“Winter Night Shelter, which runs in church halls December to March, is wholly run by volunteers, with each venue being led by a designated coordinator. Each night the volunteers welcome and register 10 guests, prepare and serve a hot meal, stay with guests overnight and prepare breakfast the next morning.
“Without our volunteers we simply wouldn’t be able to run these most needed services for the local community.”

The charity’s work began in 2011 when a group of church leaders saw the need to run a winter night shelter. It was run by volunteers from the very beginning and continues to this day.
Renewed Hope meets the physical and emotional needs of local homeless, vulnerable and isolated guests by providing practical and emotional support.
Partnership working is a key strength of the charity’s work.

Operations Manager Andrew Tyers added: “We reduce the amount of time our guests spend homeless by focusing on their individual needs and cooperating with local services. We connect them to homelessness officers, outreach teams, domestic violence workers, substance abuse teams and employment and training services.
“Renewed Hope also reduces the negative impact of homelessness on our guests through adopting a non-judgemental approach and creating a safe and welcoming environment.
“Drop-In provides a sense of community and many guests continue to attend after being housed.”

High Sheriff Christopher Critchlow (centre) with volunteers and staff of Renewed Hope

On top of this, all trustees are local volunteers taking on governance responsibilities and setting the strategic direction of the charity. Fundraising and publicity is also done by volunteers.
Drop-In is opened by teams of volunteers, six days a week. They prepare and serve food, make cups of tea and coffee and attend to guests’ needs or simply engage in conversation with them. The volunteers are backed up by the charity’s support worker.

The four residents at Hope House are each offered a volunteer mentor to give a different sort of support to that provided by the support worker. Volunteers are also involved in fundraising and publicity events.

The Kings Award for Volunteering (KAVS) was created in 2002 to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee and was previously known as The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS) . Each year, outstanding examples of the work of volunteer led organisations are celebrated through the King’s Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS). Equivalent to an MBE, KAVS is the highest Award given to local voluntary groups in the UK, and they are awarded for life.

Renewed Hope has been through a long assessment process to achieve the award.

A year ago, Renewed Hope was invited to submit a  nomination for KAVS by Peter Lee – one of the Deputy Lieutenants of Surrey.  In January we had an assessment visit from representatives of the  Surrey Lieutenancy, and we were delighted when we heard our nomination had been put forward to the National Assessment Committee. This committee is responsible for deciding on a shortlist which is then sent for Royal Approval. The announcement of the awards will be on 14th November – His Majesty’s the King’s birthday.