Jane Stevenson, MP for Wolverhampton North East, has congratulated volunteers at the Big Venture Centre in the Scotlands area of Wolverhampton on being awarded a Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service earlier this year.
The MP visited the centre on Chesterton Road, along with Matt Leach, CEO of the Local Trust which has provided £1.2 million of funding to the Scotlands and Bushbury Hill area over the last ten years.
Jane met Karen Trainer, who runs the centre, and her team of volunteers who have recently been organising activities for local children as part of the Government’s Holiday Activities and Food programme. As part of the visit, Jane watched a musical performance by children taking part in the Rock School.
Volunteers at the centre worked tirelessly throughout the coronavirus pandemic,
delivering food parcels to vulnerable families and providing safe human contact to reduce isolation. This was recognised in the national press and also through receiving the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, with special recognition of the work during the pandemic.
Jane said: “I was thrilled to visit the Big Venture Centre, after hearing so much about the fantastic work they do, and congratulate them in person for their achievement. It is organisations and people such these that have kept our city going during the pandemic, and have provided vital support to those in need.
“I’m pleased to see that has continued throughout the summer holidays, with a variety of activities put on for local children and it was a real treat to see a performance from the Rock School while I was there.
“I want to thank Karen and all the volunteers at the Big Venture Centre, as well as Matt Leach from the Local Trust for his support for this initiative, and I am looking forward to popping back soon!”
Matt Leach, CEO of the Local Trust, said: “I want to thank local MP Jane Stevenson for taking the time to join me on a visit to the Big Venture Centre. It was brilliant to see so much energy, activity and excitement filling the centre – an amazing example of what local residents can achieve if they are given the resources and support they need to make a difference to their own communities.”
ENDS
