Folkestone day centre wins King's Award for volunteering efforts

Sheppey Spectrum Arts' Just Bee Centre celebrated winning the prestigious award, considered equivalent to an MBE.  Kristin Hawthorne reports.

Transcript

00:00It's funny how life changes and how this place can change your life because it has changed mine quite considerably really.

00:08For some it's a radio station or a church, for others it's a lifeline.

00:13Sheppie Spectrum Arts has won a King's Award for their volunteering service to those in Kent by encouraging people to just be.

00:20For the founders however, this award is just the beginning.

00:24For an internet radio station which is just us guys, it averages around about a thousand listeners per day.

00:30Which is really good for a small station, it's more than some big stations in some ways.

00:35So really good.

00:36And they all listen, they sit down doing their artwork and things and they go, oh it's me!

00:41They haven't tired of it yet, so really good.

00:45So there's potential there as well.

00:48But what does this award mean?

00:49The King's Award for Voluntary Service, it was originally known as the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service.

00:56And it's the equivalent to an MBE for volunteering.

01:02And it's given to outstanding organisations that both have a lot of volunteers working for it, but is run by volunteers as well.

01:15The Just Be Centre helps those in Folkestone find a sense of community, whether they're able-bodied or have a learning disability.

01:21Today, after the awards, they're decorating soap and...

01:25Oh, maybe Lisa!

01:26She's getting help from Crystal to do just that.

01:29The group gathered to celebrate the award with a show of music and dancing.

01:33But for those who use and volunteer for the service, this award is less important than what it has done for them.

01:39I kind of thought, well, I'm not doing anything, so this is something that I could be helpful to needy people and disabled people.

01:47And so, Gina gave me a shot and I suppose I showed good will in and that because I'm still here today.

01:56And I'm still, you know, feeling really good about what we do.

02:00And I'm really glad I found the place and, you know, made the move.

02:04The music behind this story was made by Steve and another volunteer called Ben.

02:08By doing these activities, they can not only develop their skills but encourage others to do the same.

02:13And with the group selling their volunteers art and CDs, they live up to their name of being busy bees.

02:19Kristen Hawthorne for KMTV in Folkestone.