Charities recognised in King's volunteer awards

Let's Talk Reading offers sessions for babies and early years in Ipswich, as well as other sessions for adults

Five charities in Suffolk have been celebrated in the King's Award for Voluntary Service.

The award is the highest given to volunteer groups across the UK and announced to mark King Charles' birthday on 14 November.

Let's Talk Reading, a literacy charity based in Ipswich, was one of five organisations in the county that were named in the annual awards.

Lead volunteer Clair Pyper said she was "elated" by the news.

"I think it's a wonderful recognition of all the work we've done," she told BBC Radio Suffolk.

"We set up about eight years ago and we've grown and grown since then.

"Our volunteers put a lot of time in and they really deserve that recognition that the King's Award will give us."

Let's Talk Reading volunteers help package bags with free family books inside that are later given to families

Let's Talk Reading was set up to support people of all ages who struggle to read.

"A lady, who's now completed the work she was doing [at the charity], never used to be able to do a shopping list," Ms Pyper continued.

"She used to buy the same food every week for her family because she had to recognise the packages.

"Only now can she read what she's buying and not make mistakes when she buys something different.

"It's opened up her world enormously in all sorts of ways."

'Just phenomenal'

Still Good Food, a charity based in Bury St Edmunds that helps to cut down on food waste, was also awarded by King Charles for its charitable efforts.

Project director Roz Scott said the news left her feeling "ecstatic".

"The volunteers deserve this," she said. "We do something that's a little bit different.

"I know one of the King's passions is food waste, so to get this recognition is just phenomenal.

"It's a great platform for us to be able to shout about our work and I am ecstatic. It's all thanks to the volunteers."

Roz Scott, project director at Still Good Food, said the charity was volunteer-led and helped rescue food that would otherwise go to waste

The other charities recognised in the awards include Ipswich Outreach, which helps the homeless through its soup kitchen and outreach bus.

Ian Walters, the charity's founder, said it was a "real honour" to be nominated and added: "With an army of over 150 volunteers, we're so pleased that their work and efforts have been recognised".

The Caribbean and African Community Health Support Forum was also honoured for its work in Ipswich.

In addition, the Tattingstone Good Neighbour Scheme was celebrated for the support it gave to villagers needing a hand with their day-to-day errands.