The High Sheriff of Dorset Michael Dooley has recognised a Christian charity which supports vulnerable women in the Christchurch area.

He presented two awards to The Water Lily Project, which for the last ten years has provided help to anyone isolated and vulnerable through the services of its community café.

Acting chairman of trustees Sue Daly received the first award which recognises the work the charity has done in enhancing the life of the local community. This includes providing over 100 meals for the homeless, as well as running an innovative Chatterbox initiative to bring the elderly and the very young together for companionship.

The charity was also key in providing help to those isolated during Covid or at risk from domestic abuse during lockdown. Just some of the support it delivered included running support sessions online, providing Companion Calls, and delivering food parcels and activity packs to relieve anxiety.

Project manager Liz Carter, who has been spearheading the work of the Water Lily Project since 2017, received a personal award for her significant contribution to supporting the community and women suffering from domestic abuse, financial and mental health issues.

Liz said: “The work of our charity would be impossible without the whole team – a few staff and many volunteers working together to support our beneficiaries and those in the community who visit the cafe. Many worked tirelessly through Covid as we saw demand for our services increase by a staggering 80 per cent.

“The WLP team all play such a fantastic part in maintaining support for those most in need. I am so overwhelmed and delighted. These awards are a wonderful acknowledgement of all the hard work we do.

“Our charity takes its name from a plant that is beautiful on top and extremely strong beneath. These awards prove we live up to our name.”