The Bright Minds, Big Futures (BMBF) initiative in Stockton-on-Tees has received the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.
Working across Stockton-on-Tees since its formation in 2017, the group of young volunteers often grow food for local food banks, raise money for charities and interview local MPs.
The group has been working within the Parish of St Michael’s and All Angels Norton on their ‘Growing Project’, which encourages local young people to think about healthy foods they can grow to make our food supply more sustainable.
Working with Cultivate Tee Valley, they identify green spaces across the community in order to grow food.
Revd Martin Anderson, Priest in Charge of the Benefice of St Michael’s and All Angels Norton said: “We are very pleased with the inspirational work of the young people at BMBF, and thank them for their volunteering in our borough.
“They’re improving wellbeing through food and environmental initiatives, transforming urban green space to save the world.”
The organisation received the award last month from Mrs Johanna Ropner, HM Lord-Lieutenant for North Yorkshire.
It is the highest accolade a voluntary group can receive in the UK, the equivalent to an MBE.