Royal Recognition as Transforming Plymouth Together Wins King’s Award

The award is being announced on the birthday of King Charles III.

Transforming Plymouth Together (TPT) is a charity focused on empowering local churches to address social challenges in Plymouth especially related to poverty and inequality. Established in 2015 to foster collaboration among churches, TPT works on various initiatives aimed at uplifting the community through food security projects, supporting financial education, and creating spaces to combat social isolation. TPT has worked across the city of Plymouth on various projects from the newly opened Hygiene Hub, dementia friendly carol services, warm welcome spaces, financial education, strategic food security projects in particular ‘Feast of Fun’ which addresses food poverty by providing meals during school holidays, which served many families across the city during the pandemic.

The Rt. Rev’d. James Grier, Bishop of Plymouth, and Trustee of TPT, said: ‘I am delighted that TPT has been honoured and recognised with this prestigious award. It is a wonderful tribute to the hard work of people from churches across our city who do so much to address injustice and poverty. The latest expression of this faithful service is the new Hygiene Hub which opened a few weeks ago. It is particularly poignant to receive this accolade as TPT celebrates 10 years as a charity next year.’

Many individuals, groups and families have benefited from the projects TPT has been involved in. Over this summer, the charity funded activities for children and over 1400 meals across 10 churches during the school holidays. St Pancras Church took families to Pennywell Farm for a day out with ‘Meals and More’ as part of their Feast Of Fun - Big Day Out. Some of the families said 'A wonderful day, my kids haven't stopped talking about it. Thank you to everyone who made this possible'. 'Highlight of our summer. So good to be together as a family.'

John Williams, Project Support Officer at TPT said: ‘It’s a blessing and privilege to be part of the TPT team and support churches and volunteers in their efforts to help our neighbours in the city, working together for the common good. I can truly say that having been working in various organisations over the past 50 years, this job gives me the greatest job satisfaction.’

The work that is carried out throughout the city is undertaken by a team of volunteers from churches, charities and other organisations working together through TPT’s coordination and collaboration. Their support is invaluable and wouldn’t be possible without them. Many find it a rewarding experience to give back to their local communities.

Bishop Rob Wickham, Group CEO of the Church Urban Fund, said ‘As a founder member of Transforming Plymouth Together, we are delighted by this achievement. TPT, as a member of the Together Network has grown and developed in responding to the need within the local community. The Feast of Fun work with children and their families providing food and healthy activities in holidays, and the innovative hygiene hub with dental health partners are some examples of TPT’s real impact to reduce poverty locally.’

TPT is one of 281 local charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive the prestigious Kings award this year. The King’s Award for Voluntary Service aims to recognise outstanding work by local volunteer groups to support their communities. It was created in 2002 to celebrate Her Majesty The late Queen’s Golden Jubilee and was continued following the accession of His Majesty The King. 2024 marks the second year of The King’s Award for Voluntary Service. Recipients are announced annually on 14th November, The King’s Birthday. Award winners this year are wonderfully diverse and include volunteer groups from across the UK, such as a mental health and wellbeing support network for veterans and their families in Yorkshire; a group preserving a historic 12th century castle in south Wales; 6 volunteers providing English lessons for refugees in Stirling and an organisation providing opportunities to engage in the arts for people with learning disabilities in County Fermanagh.

The recent recognition through a King's Award for Voluntary Service is a testament to their impactful work, showcasing the positive difference they are making in Plymouth by mobilising church resources to tackle significant social issues.

Representatives of TPT will receive the award crystal and certificate from David Fursdon, Lord-Lieutenant of Devon early in 2025. In addition, two representatives from TPT will attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace in May and June 2025, along with other recipients of this year’s Award.