A LYDNEY community centre which helps combat loneliness among older people has been given the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.

The Victoria Centre is run entirely by volunteers and provides a vital lifeline for many older people.

It has a very active community lunch club, a range of activities including games and light exercise.

It recently held a vintage tea which was well attended, including by a number of people who have not been to the centre previously.

Manager Sally James said: “I’m absolutely proud and honoured that the centre has been given the Queen’s Award for volunteering, but our volunteers deserve everything they get, they are fantastic.”

There are around 20 volunteers who between them run every aspect of the centre.

“We are open every day and different volunteers come down on different days, cooking meals, waiting on tables, talking to people helping do the gardening,

“A lot of people come here because they are lonely and it’s a lifeline.”

The initial idea for getting the recognition came from former treasurer Pearl Biddle, and Dr Roy Sharma and Mr John Thurston have also been instrumental in the application.

The award will be presented to the centre later in the summer by the Lord Lieutenant of Gloucestershire, Mr Edward Gillespie.

He visited the centre and spoke to volunteers as part of the assessment process.

Mrs James said: “He had free rein to ask the volunteers anything and it was great because there was nothing put on in what they told him – it was natural and that came across.”

The centre was one of three groups in Gloucestershire to win the accolade.

Mr Gillespie said: “Very many congratulations to the three recipients of this valuable award which recognises the immense contribution each organisation makes to their local community.

“They are all richly deser- ved.”

The award aims to recognise the outstanding work done by volunteers.

The three Gloucestershire groups are among 281 honoured nationwide.

Last year, volunteers at Bathurst Pool in Lydney were presented with the same honour