2021 – Winning The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service!
In recognition of our community engagement and support efforts during the national lockdowns as well as hosting socially-distanced performances throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we were notified that we were to receive the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service – the highest award that can be bestowed upon any voluntary or charity organisation in the UK!
The ceremony was held at Birmingham Hippodrome in October 2021 with our TPO “partners-in-crime”, Matt Wood and Chris Bentley in attendance and being presented with the actual Queen’s Award by the Lord Lieutenant of the West Midlands, Sir John Crabtree OBE. The certificate signed by Queen Elizabeth II and glass award sits proudly in our offices today! But it wouldn’t have been possible without the hard work of our volunteers, members and staff. So in many ways, this award is for them!
It was a fabulous moment that we will never forget!
The celebration didn’t stop there however. On 18th May 2022, as part of winning the award, each organisation were invited to the Royal Garden party at Buckingham Palace, London which, due to availability, Sarah’s family stepped in to represent the charity. Whilst we would have loved more people to have come and represented our efforts, it also served as a poignant reminder of how this incredible journey all began!
And we know what you’re all wondering: did we meet any of the Royal Family? Out of the thousands in attendance, we were close but no cigar! Despite this, it was a fabulous moment that we will never forget!
The People’s Orchestra Charity are eternally grateful to those people who voted for us and to the DCMS who felt we were eligible to receive such an honour. It is humbling to know what we do makes enough of an impact in people’s lives and communities to be recognised and inspires us to continue with our mission to make music and the arts accessible for all.
