Swindon Charity Honoured

A local charity featured in Saturday’s Queen’s honours list. In recognition of their work with young people, Swindon charity, SMASH, has been granted the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.

The Queen’s Award is the highest award given to local volunteer groups across the UK, in appreciation of outstanding work in their local communities. It is the MBE for volunteer groups.

Established in 1999, SMASH, (Swindon Mentoring and Self Help), works to help young people regain control of their lives. The charity supports young people and children through a mentoring programme, group work, help and advice.

Mentors are volunteer adults drawn from across the community, representing a wide spectrum of skills and experience. Following a training programme, mentors are paired with their mentee for around 12 months. During this time, mentors and mentees meet once a week to spend time together on activities which can range from having a coffee and a chat, to taking a day trip to the beach. Of the children and young people who come through the SMASH mentoring system, 94% report a positive change as a result of their time with SMASH.

SMASH Chief Executive, Helen Fisher said:

“It is an honour to receive this award. The Queen’s Award is not about the work done by SMASH, it is recognition of all the time and effort which volunteers put in to make what we do possible. Collectively, our volunteers give over eight and a half thousand hours every year towards our work. Every volunteer who offers their time deserves appreciation from us all, and this award is a chance to highlight how important the volunteers are, to SMASH, to the children and young people, and also to the wider community.”

If you would like to find out more about the work of SMASH, and opportunities to support the charity, please visit http://smashyouthproject.co.uk.