Queens Award 2020

Queen's Award for Voluntary Service - Winners for 2020

We are honoured to announce that CHESS Homeless have been awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service – the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK.

Only 230 charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups receive this award each year, which aims to recognise outstanding work by volunteer groups to benefit their local communities. It was created in 2002 to celebrate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee. Winners are announced each year on 2nd June.

Representatives from CHESS will attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace along with other recipients. The award will be received from the Lord Lieutenant later in the year.

CHESS CEO Rob Saggs says, ‘This award is all about teamwork. Volunteers carry out a significant percentage of our organisational activities. Putting it simply – CHESS could not operate without the support of our volunteers and we are eternally grateful for their commitment to our five key services:

Winter Project
Outreach to five local authorities
All year-round night shelter
Move on accommodation
Opportunities for training and employment

I should also like to express our gratitude to the Councils that we work with in Chelmsford, Braintree, Epping, Maldon and Rochford, as well as many other partners that we work alongside on some of our projects. Members of the public that support us with donations play an equally important role in our operation.

This award is an incredible recognition of the huge amount of work of our staff and volunteers invest into our work. We would not be able to carry out our mission without their involvement and commitment and are delighted to receive this award on their behalf.”

“It is an honour and a privilege for CHESS Homeless to receive the Queens Award for Voluntary Services. This award is recognition for the hard work and dedication of all the volunteers and staff who have made the charity what it is today. We continue to grow and expand our services to the homeless, and to support them in rebuilding their lives in line with our Mission Statement.” Michelle Brown – Chair of Trustees

We look forward to the opportunities that this award may bring, enabling us to carry on our work with the homeless. Thank you to everyone who has supported us. #QAVS2020

“For many years I have seen the great work that CHESS do, not just in helping people off the streets but helping them back into the mainstream with housing and employment – No award could be better deserved.“ John Spence CBE – Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care

“I have been volunteering at CHESS since January 2013. It makes me proud that we have been recognised by Her Majesty the Queen, and I hope this will inspire even more like-minded people to join me, to help CHESS in some shape or form.” Graham, CHESS volunteer