Berkshire charity supporting young people’s mental, physical and spiritual wellbeing awarded the Kings Award for Voluntary Service
As the King celebrates his Birthday today by honouring Voluntary Services across the UK, Berkshire charity Soulscape is delighted to be named as one of the recipients of an annual KAVS Award.
Equivalent to an MBE, KAVS is the highest Award given to local voluntary groups in the UK, and they are awarded for life.
Soulscape is a charity working in partnership with Berkshire schools to give space for young people to explore the issues that they face.
Young people today face 24/7 pressure. Soulscape exists to create safe spaces for young people.
The charity – which runs workshops in collaboration with schools – gives young people space to explore life is delighted to receive the honour as the King celebrates his Birthday today.
Soulscape CEO Nick Barnett wants to thank every volunteer who helps make Soulscape happen:
‘’I am truly honoured that Soulscape has been awarded The King’s Award for Voluntary Service for 2024. This award recognises the massive impact the charity has within Berkshire’s schools supporting young people’s wellbeing. It also celebrates the work of our amazing volunteers, without whom we would not be able to reach out to the number of young people that we do.
During the last school year we worked thousands of young people in Berkshire schools, creating space for them to explore some of the issues that they tell us cause them to worry. This year, we will reach out further and support even more young people. I hope that receiving this award will help to shine a light on the massive need within our county to support young people’s wellbeing, and place young people’s mental health at the top of the agenda.‘’
‘’I am truly honoured that Soulscape has been awarded The King’s Award for Voluntary Service for 2024. This award recognises the massive impact the charity has within Berkshire’s schools supporting young people’s wellbeing. It also celebrates the work of our amazing volunteers, without whom we would not be able to reach out to the number of young people that we do.
During the last school year we worked thousands of young people in Berkshire schools, creating space for them to explore some of the issues that they tell us cause them to worry. This year, we will reach out further and support even more young people. I hope that receiving this award will help to shine a light on the massive need within our county to support young people’s wellbeing, and place young people’s mental health at the top of the agenda.‘’
‘’I enjoy my sessions with ss as I get to express myself, and my feelings without feeling like I am being judged.‘’ – Year 10 Student
‘’I enjoy my sessions with ss as I get to express myself, and my feelings without feeling like I am being judged.‘’ – Year 10 Student
Operations Manager Michelle McLeish – who oversees delivery of Soulscape’s workshops in schools says:
‘’It is an incredible achievement to receive the Kings Award and a wonderful way to celebrate the time and energy our volunteers give to the charity. Soulscape could not do the work we do in schools without the support of our volunteers. They are our heartbeat, sharing our passion to help bring about change in young peoples’ lives. I personally love seeing the relationships grow between young people and volunteers in our weekly spaces and know that our volunteers often become important figures in some of our young peoples’ lives. Something I’d like to see in all our communities.‘’
‘’It is an incredible achievement to receive the Kings Award and a wonderful way to celebrate the time and energy our volunteers give to the charity. Soulscape could not do the work we do in schools without the support of our volunteers. They are our heartbeat, sharing our passion to help bring about change in young peoples’ lives. I personally love seeing the relationships grow between young people and volunteers in our weekly spaces and know that our volunteers often become important figures in some of our young peoples’ lives. Something I’d like to see in all our communities.‘’
Chair of Trustees Sarah Burbedge says it’s wonderful to have the Charity’s volunteers acknowledged by the King!
“Soulscape offers safe spaces and meaning for young people and for a small charity punched well about its weight. We rely on support and donations given by lots of very special people who see the incredible value their workshops and presence support in schools has; this KAVs Award is for every young person who has been helped and every one of those people who supported that. What a way to celebrate!”
“Soulscape offers safe spaces and meaning for young people and for a small charity punched well about its weight. We rely on support and donations given by lots of very special people who see the incredible value their workshops and presence support in schools has; this KAVs Award is for every young person who has been helped and every one of those people who supported that. What a way to celebrate!”
The Charity – which celebrated 25 years young last year – boasts more than 100 volunteers, and supports schools across Wokingham, Reading, Maidenhead and Bracknell.
Soulscape is also fast becoming a feature at Reading Festival! The charity volunteers to run two of the site’s AIR hubs (Assistance, Information, Response), providing a point of contact, referral and a friendly face for many young people attending the festival
The charity relies solely on grants and donations from individuals, the community and local churches. If you’d like to find out more, please visit: https://soulscape.org.uk
Useful info and links:
ABOUT SOULSCAPE:
‘Creating space to explore life’
Young people don’t need yet another voice telling them what to think and do. Rather than pile more pressure onto them (“do these ten things to feel better”), we believe in creating space away from it all. Space to reflect, to ask big questions, to explore what’s going on inside, and to creatively express their own ideas.
We do this by:
- Listening to young people’s ideas and requests about what they want to discuss, whether that be self-harm, pornography, or how to make good decisions.
- Running workshops on these topics in their schools, where they can explore, debate, reflect and express themselves through the creative arts.
- Helping schools in Wokingham and Bracknell to run an effective PSHE and RE curriculum.
Soulscape website: https://soulscape.org.uk
Sign up to Soulscape emails and content here
Contact for interviews:
Michelle McLeish, Operations Manager, Please add best contacts here
Soulscape is a registered charity, number 1169989.
ABOUT KAVS:
More info here:
Every day, millions of people across the UK are making a difference by volunteering. Each year, outstanding examples of this work are celebrated through the King’s Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS).
Created in 2002 to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee and previously known as The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS), the Award has been shining a light on the fantastic work of voluntary groups from all across the UK for many years.
Equivalent to an MBE, KAVS is the highest Award given to local voluntary groups in the UK, and they are awarded for life.
