Many congratulations to Shepway Spectrum Arts who have been awarded The King’s Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS).
Acting on His Majesty’s behalf, the Lord-Lieutenant of Kent visited the community enterprise’s centre in Folkestone to make the presentation, meet the founders and see the art, music and magic happening there.
Founded in 2016, the brainchild of Georgina Cartledge, Shepway Spectrum Arts brings together people with physical and learning disabilities with volunteers and professionals to develop new skills, increased confidence and life-enhancing friendships.
Many service users (known as members) go on to become volunteers, which has created an all-inclusive community with they themselves being encouraged to lead music and mindfulness sessions, something they say they could not have dreamt or dared to do beforehand.
It started one afternoon a week in a hall in Sandgate with a £300 donation, moving to Folkestone Baptist Church and then a support bubble at the Grand Burstin Hotel during Covid until it found its home in Park Farm Close, where there are dedicated music, arts and technology spaces, cosy lounges and a sensory garden. Zoom sessions take Shepway Spectrum Arts to members who are housebound.
The presentation event included a performance by Ben Millberry on the bagpipes. He is the organisation’s co-founder and musical director. He was born blind and has taught himself to play a whole host of instruments. His music was accompanied by dancing, including in wheelchairs.
The King’s Award for Voluntary Service was started by Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and is the equivalent of an MBE. It is the highest honour that can be awarded for voluntary achievement in the UK.
The Lady Colgrain said: “His Majesty the King, as his Mother before him, is passionate about championing the incredible work that organisations like yours do in the community and on His Majesty’s behalf I bring you heartfelt congratulations and thanks.
“Nothing gives me greater pleasure than presenting this award and I know what this must mean to you to know that your efforts have been recognised at the very highest level.
“Having been your Lord-Lieutenant for five years now, I am still struck by the enormous contribution volunteers like you are making to this county and the real and lasting impact that you have on the lives of so many people.
“I think it is absolutely fantastic what you are doing. It is obviously transformative for all the people who use Shepway Spectrum Arts. The volunteers are also the service users and they all have a say in how it is run. And the support you give to one another is incredible. You all show a tremendous amount of care and continuously go the extra mile. We are extremely fortunate to have you volunteering in this way in the county and I know you will continue to flourish for many years to come.”
Georgina said: “I am so proud and excited this has happened. I am so proud of everybody, it is a real team effort.
“I would like to thank volunteers past and present from the bottom of my heart plus the funders and friends who have helped us along the way.
“I am a musician and part of it has always been my need to be creative for my wellbeing and my mental health, together with my desire to help people and bring people together.
“There is a sheer joy at the end of it all, seeing people being themselves, making their own choices and realising what they can do.”
As winners of The King’s Award for Voluntary Service, the group had the opportunity to nominate two volunteers to attend a Buckingham Palace Garden Party. Georgina Cartledge and Anthony Cheek represented Shepway Spectrum Arts at the Royal Garden Party and had a truly great day.
Words and photo credit: Jo Godden
