The Crossroads Project in Meltham has been awarded The King’s Award for Voluntary Service for 2024, the highest award a local voluntary group can receive in the UK, the equivalent of an MBE.
The Crossroads Project was set up by Meltham Churches Together. Underpinned by Christian values, the purpose of the charity is to support the community in Meltham and the surrounding area.
From the opening of the Crossroads shop in 1996, the development of the Grants Committee, the opening of the Crossroads Information and Advice Centre and later a food bank, the project has always relied on its hard working and committed volunteers.
The Crossroads Shop was set up to sell clothing and household goods at very low prices. The impact of this is that the local community can enjoy shopping, buying essential and good quality items at very affordable prices throughout the year.
The Crossroads Information and Advice Centre provides free benefit and debt advice and free legal advice by qualified advisors. In the centre there are a variety of groups who meet regularly to help combat loneliness and improve wellbeing.
The food bank serves approximately 160 families, lunch packs through the school holidays and works closely with the local welfare provision. The food bank is volunteer-led, and the volunteers aim to make sure no one goes hungry whatever day of the week it is.
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Sue Priestley, chair of trustees, said: “The Crossroads Project has over 70 volunteers. I am delighted that all the volunteers from the Crossroads Project have been recognised for their hard work and commitment to the people of Meltham, and surrounding area.
“I would like to pay tribute to the many volunteers who have worked in the Crossroads Charity Shop, the food bank and the Information and Advice Centre for the last 30 years. To all our fantastic volunteers, a BIG thank you.”
The Crossroads Project is one of 281 local charities and voluntary groups to receive the prestigious award this year. In Huddersfield, Uniform Exchange and Outlookers have also received the award.
The award was created in 2002 to celebrate Her Majesty the late Queen’s Golden Jubilee and was continued following the accession of King Charles. The awards are announced on the King’s birthday, November 14.
Representatives of the Crossroads Project will receive the award crystal and certificate from Ed Anderson, the Lord Lieutenant of West Yorkshire, and two volunteers will attend a Buckingham Palace garden party in 2025.
Uniform Exchange volunteers celebrate King’s Award for Voluntary Service the equivalent of an MBE