The Connection wins Queen's Award

Monday 2nd July 2012

A homeless centre based in London's bustling Trafalgar Square has been awarded the Queen's Award For Voluntary Service.

The Connection At St Martin's has more than 500 volunteers who will all share the prestige of the award, seen as the MBE of awards for voluntary groups.

Lance Kuhn, volunteer manager at The Connection, said: "We're very proud that our volunteers have received this recognition this year, 2012, the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, and thrilled to accept this award on our volunteers' behalf.

"The Queen's Award For Voluntary Service is the highest accolade of its kind given to any volunteer group in the United Kingdom.

"Congratulations are in order for each and every volunteer who has contributed their time and energy to make this happen. We sincerely thank all our volunteers and feel fortunate that we have such wonderful people supporting our work."

The award will be presented to The Connection by Brigadier Paul Orchard-Lisle, representative deputy lieutenant for The City of Westminster on July 5.

Janet Hearn has volunteered with the charity since 2001 and currently helps in the centre's activity room. She said: "I really like getting to know the clients who come from all over the globe. As any one of us could find ourselves homeless, helping people regain some self-esteem though the simplest of things is what makes volunteering at The Connection so special for me."

Volunteers at The Connection At St Martin's help across all of the charity's services, from the art room and kitchen to night centre.

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