King's Award for Voluntary Service given to various charities across Bucks
The King's Award in recognition of the voluntary service given to people across the country has been awarded to a number of charities in Buckinghamshire
Every year, the King (previously the Queen) offers awards to charities across the country for the valuable service they provide.
It is the highest award a local voluntary group can receive in the UK and is equivalent to an MBE.
This year, the King's Award for Voluntary Service was given to a number of charities across Buckinghamshire, including a sexual abuse group supporting victims.
The SAASSBMK (Sexual Assault and Abuse Support Service, Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes) operates across the whole county, with offices in Milton Keynes and Aylesbury.
They work to support victims, age 16 and over, and help them navigate life following assault or abuse.
"We support them with their experiences of sexual violence to help them cope and build resilience..."
With over 70 volunteers, they help support over 1,000 survivors each year.
CEO of SAASSNMK, Beki Osborne, said: "Survivors often come to us with impacts to their mental and physical health, as well as their ability to access things like education or employment."
"We support them with their experiences of sexual violence to help them cope and build resilience, and empower them to move forward wit their lives, whatever that means to them."
Their services include one to one counselling, telephone support, drop-in sessions for peer support, psychoeducation group therapy and advocacy to help survivors navigate through the criminal justice process.
Ms Osborne said: "We know that one in four women and one in six men will experience sexual violence in their lifetime."
"Often it is isolating and it can feel shameful to admit it but we are here to say that it's happened to lots of people and you are not alone."
"I cannot thank her enough for how much of an impact she has had on my life..."
The charity's aim is not only to support survivors, but to encourage more victims to come forward, if they feel ready to do so, so they can be helped through difficult times.
One survivor said: “It makes me emotional writing this but my counsellor was the ultimate gift. The time spent together helping me learn about myself, understanding my feelings and working through my trauma and depression is priceless."
"I cannot thank her enough for how much of an impact she has had on my life and ultimately my children’s lives and their future.”
Other charities who were given the King's Award for Voluntary Service in Buckinghamshire are:
Brill Village Community Herd Ltd.
High Wycombe Central Aid.
Queens Park Arts Centre.
One Can Trust.
Milton Keynes Green Gym.
Trubys Garden Tea Room.
Wolverton Community Orchard.