Queen’s Award

Tilbury, Essex – One Community Development Trust is honoured to announce it has been awarded The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest recognition given to volunteer groups across the UK. Often referred to as the “MBE for volunteer groups,” the award recognises the outstanding work done by volunteer-led organisations that benefit their local communities.

This prestigious accolade shines a light on One Community’s tireless efforts to support residents across Tilbury and the surrounding areas through a broad range of free, volunteer-powered services. From housing support and digital skills training to mentoring, domestic abuse advice, and job readiness programmes, One Community is dedicated to empowering individuals and strengthening community ties.

“We are incredibly proud to receive The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service,” said Yewande Kannike, CEO of One Community Development Trust. “This recognition affirms the impact of our dedicated volunteers, trustees, and staff who work daily to create a space where people feel heard, supported, and empowered.”

The award was supported by a statement from Mrs Jennifer Tolhurst, Lord Lieutenant of Essex, who praised the Trust for serving over 600 residents with more than 5,000 visits to their community hub annually. “One Community Development Trust changes lives,” she noted, “with support ranging from IT skills and interview preparation, to food provision, domestic abuse support, and a unique Volunteer Investment Programme that nurtures former beneficiaries into peer mentors.”

See the highlights of the event here!

Independent Committee Chair Sir Martyn Lewis highlighted the wider significance of the award, saying:

“The recipients of the Queen’s Award are at the very top of a formidable volunteering movement in the UK. They are the lifeblood of our communities, tackling challenges with enthusiasm, talent, and success.”

The award recognises the transformative impact of One Community’s Volunteer Investment Programme (VIP), which offers structured pathways into volunteering and employment by helping participants build confidence, gain qualifications, and give back as peer mentors. With an average of 22 trained volunteers and 6 volunteer trustees, the Trust remains entirely led by the community it serves.

The Queen’s Award serves as a milestone moment in One Community’s journey—affirming years of hard work and shining a national spotlight on the power of grassroots volunteerism.