THE Ukrainian Family Hub Warrington, a group of volunteers based at The Daten Sports Club in Culcheth, Warrington, Cheshire, has been awarded The King’s Award for Voluntary Service for 2026.
This is the highest award a local voluntary group can receive in the UK and is equivalent to an MBE. Since April 2022, when the group was established by Kate McCarthy Booth, one of the first sponsors under the Homes for Ukraine Scheme in Warrington, the group has been working to support Ukrainian refugees arriving in Warrington and the surrounding areas (particularly Leigh, St Helens, Cheshire and Liverpool), helping hundreds of individuals and families find their feet, rebuild their lives and feel at home in a new country. The Ukrainian Family Hub Warrington is one of 250 local charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive the prestigious award this year. Their work, along with others from across the UK, reminds us of all the ways fantastic volunteers are contributing to their local communities and working to make life better for those around them. 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 Late Majesty The Queen’s Golden Jubilee and was continued following the accession of His Majesty The King.
2026 marks the third year of The King’s Award for Voluntary Service. Recipients are announced annually on 14th November. The Ukrainian family Hub Warrington are honoured to be numbered among the award winners this year including wonderfully diverse and include volunteer groups from across the UK such as Reuben’s Retreat, a group supporting families after the loss of a child and families of children with shorter life expectancy in Greater Manchester; a group providing palliative care in Dyfed, Wales; and a group improving wellbeing in a rural community through plant and bake sales in Perth and Kinross.. Representatives of the Ukrainian Family Hub Warrington will receive the award crystal and certificate from Lady Redmond MBE , Lord-Lieutenant of Cheshire in the coming months. In addition, two volunteers from the Ukrainian Family Hub Warrington will attend a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace in May and June 2027, along with other recipients of this year’s award.
Adrienne Laing, Chair of the Ukrainian Family Hub Warrington said: “I am delighted that our group’s work has been recognised. Our volunteers have given their time, energy, kindness and compassion to our group supporting our families. They have given countless hours, gone above and beyond, offered friendship, provided practical support, listened, encouraged and stood beside Ukrainian families during some of the most difficult times of their lives. They have helped people navigate a new country, overcome challenges, build friendships and, most importantly, feel that they are not alone. Many of our volunteers work quietly behind the scenes, never expecting anything in return. Yet every act of kindness, every helping hand and every hour volunteered has made a real difference to someone’s life. On behalf of the group, I would like to thank everyone who has supported us, believed in us and stood alongside us on this journey, either financially or by raising awareness of our community work. I am so proud of what we have achieved together. What started in April 2022 as a desire to help people fleeing an unimaginable situation has grown into a community built on compassion, friendship and hope. For the work of our group and our volunteers to be recognised by gaining the Kings Award for Voluntary Service is fantastic and this award belongs to each and everyone of our volunteers past and present.” The group always welcomes new volunteers! We are currently looking particularly for those happy to organise and support children’s activities, adult arts and crafts activities and support our English language sessions. If you are interested please contact admin@ukrainian-family-hub.org or come along to our sessions at The Daten in Culcheth, Warrington on Sundays!
