Royal recognition for HIV support work

A service which helps people in Dacorum living with HIV has won the Queen's Award for voluntary service.
The Crescent receives The Queen's Award.The Crescent receives The Queen's Award.
The Crescent receives The Queen's Award.

Based in St Albans, The Crescent supports those living with or affected by HIV in Hertfordshire and supports many people in Dacorum.

The Queen’s Award is the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK.

The Crescent provides a variety of services for the community as well as for those living with or affected by HIV.

These include a daily open-access drop-in, evening and weekend sessions, as well as education, prevention and outreach services, social groups, complementary therapies, HIV testing by post and instant testing on site, advice, advocacy and counselling.

The Queen’s Award was presented by Deputy Lieutenants Jo Connell and Penny Williams on behalf of Lady Verulam in the presence of the Mayor of St Albans, trustees and members of the Crescent.

Head of operations Iain Murtagh said: “We were extremely delighted that our work in the community has been recognised by Her Majesty in the year of her 90th birthday, after we were nominated for the award by the Bishop of St Albans in 2015.

“The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service is the highest award a voluntary group can receive, and is the equivalent of an MBE for the organisation. The cabinet office assessment panel were particularly impressed by our work, and it was suggested that we ‘punch well above our weight’ and had far-reaching impact.

“This is thanks in no small part to our dedicated team of staff and volunteers, who have overcome unbelievable odds to keep the charity afloat after funding was withdrawn six years ago.”

For more information, see www.thecrescent.org.uk

To find out more about the Queen’s Award, see qavs.
direct.gov.uk