Compassionate Kenilworth charity members are celebrating being awarded the The King's Award for Voluntary Service for 2025. 

The list of charities receiving this prestigious honour - just 231 nationwide - was announced this week.

The King's Award is the highest award a local voluntary group can receive in the UK and is the equivalent to an MBE.

Pauline Hayward, founder of Compassionate Kenilworth, said: "We are deeply honoured to receive The King's Award.

"This belongs to every volunteer, partner, funder and resident who help to make our community so connected and special."

Born out of the incredible community response during the Covid-19 pandemic - when 500 local volunteers joined together to keep local residents safe and connected — Compassionate Kenilworth responded to the longstanding loneliness and isolation that was witnessed in the town.

Compassionate Kenilworth was created to be a lasting way to bring people together in safe and friendly spaces, helping them build connections, friendships and support networks, and thus improve wellbeing and happiness across the community.

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Today, the group runs social, support and learning cafés including a bereavement café for both adults and young people, an intergenerational tech café, community meals and other support.

One attendee shared: "I walked in completely alone, and within minutes felt welcomed, seen, heard and supported. Now I have friends, confidence and hope again."

Representatives of Compassionate Kenilworth will receive the award crystal and certificate from Tim Cox, the Lord-Lieutenant of Warwickshire in the coming months.

Two volunteers will also attend a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace in 2026.