A church outreach mission which has supported more than a thousand families and individuals in one of Scotland’s most deprived parishes has received a royal award.
The Hope Chest Community Support Project and Wellesley Centre, run by Wellesley Parish Church in Methil, Fife, has been honoured with The King's Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS). It is the highest recognition for a voluntary organisation in the UK, equivalent to an MBE.
More than 80 volunteers help run a donation centre and activities for all ages, inspired by Jesus’ commandment to “love your neighbour as yourself”.
Reacting to Saturday’s announcement, Rev Gillian Paterson, Wellesley Parish Church minister, said: “It is with huge gratitude and excitement that we accept this incredible award for the large team who make up the Wellesley family. They give a huge amount of their time, skills and talents, and they are changing people’s lives for the better through the work they do.”
Wellesley is a Priory Area Congregation in the Church of Scotland, as the parish sits within the 5% most deprived rankings in the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation.
In 2012, the congregation’s kirk session revealed plans for a multi-purpose building next to the Church, which could operate seven days a week and meet the needs of all in the community with low cost or free activities. Costing £1.2 million, the new Wellesley Centre opened in 2022.
The Hope Chest Community Support Project was launched in the church hall at the same time, with a showroom of donated goods, clothing, furniture, household goods, DVDs and toys. Project leaders work with more than 40 referring agencies to provide what people need, offering items for free.
Rev Paterson said: “One lady managed to buy her whole outfit for her granddaughter’s wedding this summer, including the hat, and all for about £50. This is our main mission project, and meets the need of a deprived community, but in return the community’s generosity to this project is immense and deeply appreciated.”
The Wellesley Centre hosts a café three days a week with volunteers preparing and serving affordable, home-cooked breakfasts and lunches to catering standards. It operates a ‘Pay It Forward’ scheme to help others access meals.
Activities for all ages are put on by volunteers: ranging from children’s groups providing craft and hot food to 70 children a week, to entertainment for older people experiencing isolation. The Centre also hosts groups for people with dementia and their carers, those who have been bereaved, and mental health chats.
“It is my privilege to work with them,” Rev Paterson added, “I have learned a lot from such dedicated and committed people who are making a difference in a community that has had really tough times for the last 50 years with employment disappearing, and hope in the future deteriorating. Yet, by working together there’s a positive future ahead, and I thank every single volunteer for all that they do. This award is a great honour and belongs to every single one of them.”
The mission project will receive a signed certificate from King Charles, a domed glass crystal award, and an invitation for two representatives to attend a royal garden party.