Royal seal of approval for Flamingo Chicks

Flamingo Chicks, a Bristol based inclusive dance charity, has been honoured with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK.

The organisation gives disabled children and those with illnesses such as cancer, the opportunity to enjoy dance and explore movementalongside their friends. It also provides a vital peer support network for parents and carers, intergenerational volunteering, global outreachand advocacy.

Katie Sparkes started the charity in 2013 as her daughter Poppy, who has cerebral palsy, wanted to dance. She amassed a volunteernetwork who supported her dream to create an inclusive community tackling social isolation amongst disabled children and their families.Now, more than 350 volunteers, aged 18-80 come together to enable all children to enjoy dance classes with friends, while providing a vitalpeer support network for parents and carers.

“The intergenerational approach Flamingo Chicks takes to volunteering ensures we have a wonderful pool of people all interacting withothers at different life stages – a great way to learn from each other. We are absolutely thrilled for our volunteers to win this award and it’s areal testament to their hard work, dedication and care for our families.”

From the very start, volunteering at Flamingo Chicks was an integral part of the organisation. Working with disabled children and theirparents and carers is a demanding role that requires motivation and kindness, but also sound and appropriate knowledge. Therefore,Flamingo Chicks prides itself on a high-quality training programme, including free development opportunities such as learning to Makatonsign.

Representatives from Flamingo Chicks will receive the award from Peaches Golding OBE, Lord Lieutenant for the City and County ofBristol later this summer.

Source: https://flamingochicks.org/royal-seal-of-approval-for-flamingo-chicks/