A charity supporting people in the Dawlish, Teignmouth and Chudleigh area is to receive the UK's highest award that can be given to a voluntary group.

Volunteering in Health has been honoured with The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service.

The charity, based in Teignmouth, works with other organisations to help people live more independently and improve their health and wellbeing.

The award will be officially presented by the Lord Lieutenant of Devon, David Fursdon, later this summer – and two of the charity's volunteers will attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace in May 2022, if restrictions allow the event to take place.

Chair of Trustees, Alwyn Oakley, says: "We are delighted that our work supporting people in Teignbridge has been recognised. Our skilled staff and volunteers are committed and caring individuals and I am proud to be part of this community."

The Dawlish volunteer who received the BEM

This recognition comes less than a year after one of Volunteering in Health's drivers, Peter Ward, was awarded the British Empire Medal for his community service, ensuing people can get to their medical appointments. Read more about it here.

The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service aims to recognise outstanding work by volunteer groups to benefit their local communities. It was created in 2002 to celebrate The Queen's Golden Jubilee. This year there were 241 award-winners from across the UK and the Channel Islands; they include an inclusive tennis club, a children's bereavement charity, a support group for people living with dementia, a community radio station and even a mountain rescue team.

A heartwarming case study from the local charity

Volunteering in Health stepped in to help an elderly man named Thomas, whose wife Mavis had recently gone into a care home because her dementia had become too advanced for her to stay at home. The couple had been married for more than 70 years and Thomas wasn't allowed to visit Mavis during the Covid restrictions, meaning he felt lonely between his carer's visits.

Volunteering in Health suggested a telephone befriender, who would call Thomas once a week for a a chat. He was very keen on this idea.

Volunteer Joanne Martin took up the role and the two became firm friends.

She said: ''I love doing it and it's so nice to see Thomas looking so chuffed when I arrive! We have a lovely chat every week, he is a dear man."

Thomas said: ''It's incredible! Joanne is thoroughly spoiling me! She has been baking me delicious cakes and delivering them to me every week, it is absolutely lovely.

"I feel that I have made a new friend and cannot thank Joanne and Volunteering in Health enough. I feel like there is someone there to support me, thank you for all that you all do''.

For more information about Volunteering in Health, visit their website.