St Albans held its volunteer Awards at the Labour Club in Coopers Lane, Smethwick

Pete Ryan, husband of the late Pat Ryan, presented the awards alongside our Chair, Carol, and Volunteer Coordinator, Natalie.  The evening saw nine awards presented, with the prestigious Pat Ryan Award jointly awarded to Mike and Helen in recognition of their outstanding commitment and dedication.

Week after week, Mike and Helen run the Thursday Food Table at St Albans single-handedly. Their hard work ensures that all food is carefully sorted, labelled and attractively presented, creating a welcoming and dignified experience for everyone who accesses the service. Most importantly, they offer support and kindness without judgement, treating every individual with respect and compassion.

Beyond their practical contribution, Mike and Helen are valued members of the wider St Albans team. Employees and fellow volunteers see them as true friends of St Albans, always willing to help, encourage others, and go the extra mile. Their commitment to the service reflects our organisation’s values, and we are incredibly grateful for everything they do.

We also took the opportunity to recognise and thank Gilly, Wayne, Neil and Trevor for their incredible commitment to organising Pirate Day, an annual community event that attracts more than 400 participants and raises vital funds for charities across Sandwell. The team works tirelessly for around seven months each year, planning and delivering what has become one of the area’s most engaging and anticipated community events. Their passion, dedication and community spirit have created an event that not only brings people together but also makes a significant contribution to charitable causes throughout the borough.