Mearns Kirk Helping Hands receives the Kings Award for Voluntary Service

Mearns Kirk Helping Hands has been awarded the King’s Award for Voluntary Service for 2025.  This is the highest award a local voluntary group can receive in the UK and is equivalent to an MBE.  We are one of 231 groups to receive the prestigious award this year.

Representatives of Mearns Kirk Helping Hands will receive the award crystal and certificate from Colonel Peter McCarthy, the Lord Lieutenant for East Renfrewshire, in the coming months.  In addition, two volunteers will attend a garden party at Holyroodhouse in July 2026.

We are excited and honoured to receive this award.  Our incredible team of volunteers give their time, enthusiasm and commitment to making a real difference for older people in East Renfrewshire every day.  Without our volunteers we would not be able to deliver the range of groups and activities which improve wellbeing and reduce loneliness and isolation in our community.  A huge thank you to each and every one of our volunteers, and a massive congratulations on receiving this well-deserved award.