Ferndown | Posted on November 19th, 2025 | return to news

Ferndown community group receives royal recognition

Ferndown Community Support has been given a prestigious award: The King’s Award for Voluntary Service.

A Ferndown community group has received royal recognition after being awarded The King’s Award for Voluntary Service. The prestigious honour is the highest recognition that a UK volunteer group can receive.

Ferndown Community Support (FCS) runs several services to support the local area, including a food bank, larder, medicine bank, befriending and benefits support.

The King’s Award celebrates the dedication of FCS volunteers, who give their time and energy to support local people through cooking clubs, outreach services, community events, and more.

FCS announced the news on Friday 14 November. The group’s founder and chair, Hannah Hobbs-Chell, said: “This is an amazing achievement that we have all worked together to make happen.

“I am proud of our team, we work hard, we work together, we put each other and our community first, and we champion everything that is good about society to make it a better place.

“It is an honour and a privilege to know each and every one of our volunteers and steering committee members, and to see the dedication and commitment, day in, day out, to deliver for our community.

“And last but by no means least, our debt of gratitude wholeheartedly extends to our wider community, our funders, our supporters and our partners whom we work with, without whom we wouldn’t be able to deliver what we do. I also want to extend our congratulations to the other organisations awarded this year across the UK, whose commitment and dedication to their work is outstanding.”

FCS will receive an award crystal and a certificate signed by His Majesty the King. The group will also hold a special celebration for its volunteers and representatives.

And to celebrate the festive period, FCS is holding a Christmas Fayre this Saturday from 11am to 3pm at Ferndown Day Centre. Featuring story time with Santa, craft stalls, crafts and raffle, the event will help to raise funds towards the volunteer group’s Mission Santa Sacks Project to deliver 150 care packages to local children in difficulty.