King's Award for Voluntary Service presentation day - 15th June 2026

In November 2025 Stafford & District Bereavement & Loss Support Service (SDBLSS) was successful in achieving the King’s Award for Voluntary Service in recognition of their charity work in the community. They were just one of five charities in the whole of Staffordshire to be given this prestigious award. It is seen as the equivalent of an MBE for voluntary organisations.

Two volunteers, Angela Blanchard and Lesley Bailey, were honoured to be invited to attend a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace on 8th June 2026

On Monday 15th June 2026 a formal presentation took place at the Civic Offices in Stafford with His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Staffordshire, Professor Elizabeth Barnes CBE and High Sherriff, Pritpal Singh Nagi MBE DL. Over 60 people attended the event including members of the charity (past and present), groups and organisations that the charity support as well as those that support the charity.

The Lord Lieutenant presented the Crystal Trophy to Shyamali Fenton, Chair/Trustee and the Certificate, signed by King Charles III was presented to Lesley Bailey, the Company Secretary and Fundraiser for the charity. Volunteers were also presented with their King’s Award badges which will be worn with pride when representing SDBLSS.

A beautiful cake was very kindly made and donated by local baker, Emily from ‘Emmies Buttercream Beauties’ in Stafford displaying the King’s Award Crown logo.

Everyone at SDBLSS is extremely proud to receive this accolade in recognition of the service which has been provided to adults experiencing bereavement or loss in the Stafford, Stone and the surrounding district for the last 42 years.

Huge thanks goes out to everyone who joined us for such a special event, all volunteers, support staff and associated organisations for everything they do which enables the charity to continue its work in offering free support to local people going through bereavement or loss.

Thank you x