Food bank given King's Award for volunteering

(Left to right) volunteers Christine Chance and Kim Swann were pictured with founder and volunteer Alvina Ali, Deputy Lieutenant for the West Midlands Carmen Watson and volunteers Nicki Kainth and Sajid Bashir at the back

A woman who founded an organisation offering a food bank and help with digital skills has said it is an "incredible honour" that it has been recognised with a King's Award for Voluntary Service.

Alvina Ali, director of volunteer group Secret Angels in Wolverhampton, started making emergency food parcels from home in 2020.

It has since helped thousands and given advice on saving money on energy bills, while also providing social events to combat loneliness.

Secret Angels, which has up to 15 volunteers working "tirelessly", will be invited to attend a royal garden party at Buckingham Palace next year.

The food bank has assisted more than 10,700 people, including those who have been helped more than once.

The group has also provided free clothing and help with mental health and wellbeing.

'Hard work validated'

Asked about the award, Ms Ali said she felt overwhelmed and was "a bit emotional".

She added: "It's an incredible honour. It's not just myself, it's everybody involved, volunteers, partners.

"It validated all the hard work, passion and the work every day."

The community interest company was formed after Ms Ali wanted to "do a bit more to help".

She works for Wolverhampton Homes, which manages the city's social housing, and has seen people in deprivation.

She said starting to provide the emergency food parcels from home was the first step.

"The food bank grew into something bigger," she added.

More than 360 residents have been helped with digital services.

People can learn skills at weekly sessions in four libraries, at Whitmore Reans, Wednesfield, Blakenhall and Warstones.

Those who needed a device and could not afford it would be given one and the group would provide a sim card for their mobile if they could not afford a contract, Ms Ali said.

People who are homeless and unemployed are among those being helped and some visitors to the base at Park Village Education Centre are from Dudley, Sandwell and Walsall.

Ms Ali said: "This achievement belongs to our incredible volunteers, our secret angels whose compassion, dedication and teamwork continue to make a real difference in people's lives every single day."