National award win for Cornish homeless service

Coastline Housing's Homeless Service, based in Camborne, Cornwall, has won a national award in recognition of its work in encouraging volunteering.

The 3rd Sector Care Awards celebrate and showcase innovation and care excellence of the not-for-profit care sector. Held at the Marriot Hotel in London's Grosvenor Square, the award was presented by journalist and television presenter Dame Esther Rantzen who interviewed the team about their work.

The Homeless Service won in the highly competitive Citizenship Award category for its Volunteer Programme. The win followed a rigorous selection process which included interviews and presentations in the run up to the awards.

Derek Law MBE, Chairman of Coastline Housing, said: “It's a great achievement to have Coastline's volunteer programme recognised at a national level. Myself, the team and all our volunteers are so pleased and honoured to have won. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all our fantastic volunteers for the hours they have donated over the past 3 years.”

This award follows on the footsteps of the Investing In Volunteers standard achieved by the team earlier in 2015, when they were the only organisation in Cornwall to achieve this accreditation.

The Homeless Service's commitment to volunteering has been demonstrated through the development of a programme which encourages members of the wider community to give their time to share their skills whilst gaining a greater understanding of homelessness.

In just over two years the volunteer programme has received more than 50 expressions of interest. Of those people, more than half have actively volunteered with many continuing to contribute for several months.

Of the 3rd Sector Care Awards, Dame Esther said: “I am delighted to be involved in such a worthwhile event. It is crucial that the not-for-profit sector offers high quality care and support for vulnerable people, whilst driving up standards.”

The 3rd Sector Care Awards aim to reward examples of outstanding achievement and performance in this dynamic sector.