VOLUNTEERS at an Exminster health charity have received a national award in recognition of their service.

Westbank’s Neighbourhood Friends volunteers were presented with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service by the Lord Lieutenant of Devon, David Fursdon.

They were presented with the crystal, certificate and individual badges.

Exminster-based Westbank Neighbourhood Friends help vulnerable or frail people aged 18 and over from Exeter, East and Mid Devon to stay out of hospital or to have shorter hospital stays.

The service matches volunteers who want to help with people who need assistance to come home from hospital.

Nina Parnell, Westbank head of volunteering and community support, said: ’The Covid-19 crisis has put our ’Can Do’ reputation to the test.

’Our dedicated Neighbourhood Friends team of volunteers rose to the challenge by providing support to more than 2,030 patients.

’As always, volunteers answered the call quickly, they moved beds to make way for hospital beds and equipment; they installed key safes so carers could gain access; and they provided a bit of company and a warm drink to patients following a stay in hospital.

’They did all of this while the country was in lockdown and at no point ever questioned why they wouldn’t help.

’We are incredibly proud that our Neighbourhood Friends project has been recognised with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service and pay tribute to the dedication, hard work and commitment of our truly deserving team of volunteers.’

Jenny Luscombe, the charity’s longest serving volunteer, said: ’It was such a pleasure to meet the Lord Lieutenant of Devon and an honour to have received the Queen’s Award, which is the equivalent of receiving an MBE for people like myself who give their time to volunteer.’

The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK, 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.

by ELLEN GRINDLEY