A Tayside church project to tackle drug addiction has received the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK.
The drop-in service based at St Andrew’s Church in Arbroath has been honoured with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service,
Havilah is one of 187 charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups from across the UK to receive the award this year.
The project was set up in 2006 by church members who give up their time to support those less fortunate.
The Rev Martin Fair of St Andrew’s Church said: “We see this as an affirmation of what we have been doing for the past nine years.
“Sometimes this is really difficult work and to get this kind of recognition is a great encouragement to our staff and volunteers.”
The awards were created in 2002 to celebrate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee and winners are announced each year on June 2.
There are 45 volunteers, 20 in the “front line” and 25 soup makers who operate on a rota basis, providing lunches five days a week.
Everything provided is free to clients, and volunteers range in age from their mid-twenties to 75, with the majority staying with the project for a long time
As well as the practical help offered, volunteers serve teas, coffees, toast and lunches, play games and, above all, listen without judging.
There is a core of clients who visit each day, with up to 25 visitors in total. An average of 70 different people use the facility each month.
Over the duration of the project, 17 people have become completely drug free and more than 30 have experienced residential rehabilitation.
It is impossible to put numbers on those whose lives have improved by becoming more stable and less chaotic.
The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service Committee chairman, former broadcast journalist Martyn Lewis, said: “The judging panel for this year’s awards were struck by the quality and breadth of all the successful groups.
“The thousands of volunteers who give up spare time to help others in their community and to help solve problems demonstrate the best of democracy in action.”
The minister for civil society, Rob Wilson, said: “I would like to congratulate all groups who received this year’s Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in recognition of their fantastic achievements.
“The hard work and commitment that goes into the work of these organisations is surpassed only by the passion and motivation of the individuals who volunteer.
“I hope these groups continue to inspire others to get involved and make a positive impact so that we can continue to build a bigger, stronger society.”