Women's centre 'delighted' at King's Award

One of the volunteers at the Shama Women's Centre, which has been open for 37 years

A centre which supports women to become more active in their communities has been given the King's Award for Voluntary Service.

The honour, equivalent to an MBE, has been awarded to the Shama Women's Centre, a Leicester-based charity that aims to "empower" women who might experience isolation due to cultural barriers.

CEO Khudeja Amer-Sharif said she was "delighted" and "thrilled" for everyone involved in the organisation.

The centre was given the award, along with 230 other recipients, on Friday, King Charles' birthday.

Based in Sparkenhoe Street, the centre has been open for 37 years and has helped more than 45,000 women to become more active in their community.

Ms Amer-Sharif said the charity ran sessions, classes and a nursery, all designed to help their users take more of a role in society.

"It's such an achievement for all of us," she said.

"It's been an amazing journey and we're absolutely delighted.

"When I go out, wherever I am, I always bump into someone who has had a positive experience of our services and that makes me very proud."

Sir Martyn Lewis, chairman of the award, said: "For over two decades these annual awards have shown the people of our country at their very best, coming together from all sections of society to touch virtually every area of need."