Norfolk-based singing group are being presented with a prestigious award in honour of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the London Olympics. 

Sing Your Heart Out will be holding a special celebration at their regular singing session at The Phoenix Centre, Norwich at 2pm to celebrate their Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, which is the equivalent of an MBE for voluntary organisations.

Sing Your Heart Out, which works closely with Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, aims to improve people’s wellbeing by reducing stress and boosting confidence.

The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service is the highest award given to volunteer groups across the UK for outstanding work. Nominations are considered by a committee before being formally considered and approved by the Queen herself. 

Maggie Wheeler, chair of Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation trust and member of Sing Your Heart Out, said: ”This is fantastic news, coming at a great time with the Olympics and the Jubilee. The Queen’s Award is very much about volunteers – and Sing Your Heart Out is proud to be a volunteer led organisation, and that most of our volunteers are themselves past or present users of mental health services.” 

Penny Holden and Kate Wood chairs of the central and southern Norfolk Sing Your Heart Out group, will represent the group at a Garden party at Sandringham on 12 June. 

Penny Holden, chair of Sing Your Heart Out said “From a very tiny start Sing Your Heart Out has grown and grown and this honour is a wonderful recognition of all our efforts.”

Sing Your Heart Out will receive a certificate signed by the Queen and a crystal trophy, which will be presented by the Lord-Lieutenant of Norfolk later in the year.


nsft.nhs.uk