03 Jun 2009
The Queen Pays Tribute to Mothertongue with Prestigious Award



Mothertongue has been announced as one of 95 volunteering groups from across the UK winning this year’s Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, recognising the outstanding contribution that it has made to the local community voluntarily devoting its time for the benefit of others.

The prestigious National Honour, which is equivalent to the MBE, sets the national benchmark for excellence in volunteering, and the activities of those awarded have been judged of the highest standard.

Mothertongue has received the Award for its work within the BME community in Reading by offering a cross-cultural counselling service in different languages as well as a practical support service through its volunteers. Mothertongue has an active team of 20 volunteers and approximately another 20 are trained each year, as many of the current volunteers go on to access paid employment as a result of the experience they have gained with the organisation. The counselling and volunteer team can offer between 10 and 15 languages at any time.

Winners of this year’s Award were selected from 406 groups nominated by members of the public who have been helped personally or witnessed the benefits of a group’s work in their community. Mothertongue will receive a certificate signed by the Queen and an exclusive commemorative crystal. These will be presented by Her Majesty's representative in Berkshire, Mary Baylis at a special ceremony arranged by the Lieutenancy office. Group representatives have also received an invitation to a Royal Garden Party event at Buckingham Palace in the summer.

Speaking of Mothertongue's success, Beverley said: “We are all thrilled to have received this prestigious award. It is a wonderful recognition of what our clients tell us: that they feel understood from the heart at Mothertongue and that from the opportunities to contribute that we provide, they have a greater sense of belonging and of being valued by the wider community.”

The Award is overseen by the Office of the Third Sector, in the Cabinet Office. Kevin Brennan, Minister for the Third Sector, said: “Volunteering binds communities together and builds a stronger and kinder society. Often these unsung heroes go about their work without much recognition, that’s why I’m particularly pleased to see their efforts recognised and rewarded by the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.”