Isle of Wight Community Bus Partnership Volunteers Given The Queen's Award

Isle of Wight volunteers have been honoured with The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK.

Established in 2011, The Isle of Wight Community Bus Partnership provides essential bus services to areas across the Isle of Wight - using vehicles from Southern Vectis and volunteer drivers.

Southern Vectis general manager, Richard Tyldsley said:

“These services are absolutely vital to those who may otherwise find it difficult to travel across the island - with 93 percent of passengers on routes 22, 24 and 32 using concessionary passes

“Every year 33,000 journeys are taken on these three services, so we know how important they are to residents in Lake, Shanklin, Yaverland, Cowes, Gurnard and Northwood. 

“Southern Vectis provides buses for the routes and will continue to do so, thanks to support from the council - and of course from the drivers who volunteer. Without them, none of this would be possible.”

The Isle of Wight Community Bus Partnership is one of 241 charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive the prestigious award this year. The number of nominations remains high year on year, showing that the voluntary sector is thriving and full of innovative ideas to make life better for all those around them.

The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service 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. Recipients are announced each year on 2 June, the anniversary of The Queen’s Coronation. 

Award winners this year are wonderfully diverse. They include volunteer groups from across the UK, including an inclusive tennis club in Lincolnshire, a children’s bereavement charity in London, a support group for those living with dementia and their carers in North Yorkshire, a group supporting young people in Belfast and a mountain rescue team in Powys. 

Representatives of the Isle of Wight Community Bus Partnership will receive the award crystal and certificate from Mrs Susie Sheldon JP, Lord-Lieutenant of Isle of Wight, later this summer. Furthermore, two volunteers from the partnership will attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace in May 2022 (depending on restrictions at the time), along with other recipients of this year’s Award.

“The Isle of wight Community Bus Partnership is an excellent example of different organisations working with volunteers to make a huge difference for those living within the local area,” added Richard Tyldsley. 

“Without these buses and volunteer drivers, a significant number of vulnerable people would find it difficult to get out-and-about. It is vital for social inclusion that we all continue to support this initiative. All those who work tirelessly to provide this wonderful service thoroughly deserve this recognition.”

Ian Ward BEM, a founding member of the project - and the managing director of the partnership - said:

“The service has continued throughout the pandemic maintaining a vital service for isolated residents, and many volunteers have also helped with delivering medications and shopping for those isolating, and their hard work is more than worthy of this recognition.”

Alan Stott added:

“All involved with the Community Bus Partnership, including Richard and the team at Southern Vectis, as well as Stewart at the Isle of Wight Council, are delighted that the hard work, dedication and commitment of our volunteers have been recognised - and thanks to those that nominated the team for valuing the difference they make to people’s lives”.

For more information about becoming a volunteer driver for the Community Bus Partnership (training is provided), please visit www.islandbuses.info

Nominations for the 2022 awards close on 15 September 2021.