The Queen’s Award for voluntary service
Our Basingstoke charity that champions young people has received one of the highest royal honours. Inspero has been awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service for our dedication to empowering young people. This prestigious award, often considered the MBE for organisations, recognises exceptional service to local communities.
Council support for Inspero’s mission
Inspero’s work is further supported by a three-year grant of £51,000 from Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s Community and Voluntary Sector grants programme. This funding helps Inspero run its popular programmes that encourage healthy eating and active lifestyles, including Nature2Nurture and Children’s Cooking Club initiatives, along with new Forest School classes for local children.
Honouring Inspero’s team at a Queen’s garden party
On Thursday, 6 September, Founder and Chief Executive Catherine Waters-Clark attended a reception at Kempshott Village Hall, where Hampshire’s Lord-Lieutenant, Nigel Atkinson, presented her and Chair Samia Calvet with the award. The Lord-Lieutenant commended Inspero’s work, noted the charity’s standout nomination, and requested an annual update on Inspero’s progress.
Catherine Waters-Clark expressed her gratitude, saying, “It is a wonderful privilege to receive this award from the Queen and to attend this reception with the Lord-Lieutenant and his deputy, Brigadier David Innes. Prince Charles was so lovely and interested in our work, he understands what we are trying to do in our communities, he told us that we are doing very important work and thanked us.”
Celebrating local impact
As a small Basingstoke charity supporting over 600 young people each year, Inspero is thrilled to have its volunteers recognised with this award. Catherine shared, “We are so thrilled to be acknowledged in this way. It’s an incredible honour for our volunteers and the young people we serve.”
Cllr Robert Tate, Cabinet Member for Finance, Service Delivery and Improvement, also praised the charity, saying, “Congratulations to Inspero on receiving the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. The charity has made a huge impact in our local community, and the council is delighted to support its work promoting healthy eating among young people.”
A Royal garden party and community celebration
In June, Catherine and Chair of Trustees Samia Calvet attended a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace, where they had the honour of meeting Prince Charles. The Prince commended Inspero’s important work and encouraged the charity to keep up their efforts. In July, Inspero celebrated this recognition with a garden party at its Kempshott community garden. Volunteers, parents, and young members gathered alongside Mayor & Mayoress Sean & Gwen Keating and Councillor Anne Court to celebrate the charity’s achievements.
Inspero: empowering through education and healthy living
Inspero is an educational charity dedicated to empowering young people and their families to lead healthy lifestyles through food education and environmental awareness. Inspero’s services include cooking and healthy eating classes, food growing, horticulture, Forest School for children, adult Green Therapy classes, and a gardening service for older adults. The charity also partners with local organisations such as BCoT, Buckskin Community Centre, and Popley Fields Community Centre to create community gardens and deliver horticulture projects in local schools.
If you’d like more information on Inspero’s programmes or to get involved, please contact us.
