King's Award delight for Side by Side Counselling and the MyColdhurst team
Date published: 22 November 2025
Side by Side Counselling has been awarded the King's Award for Voluntary Service
Two local community groups have been awarded the prestigious King's Award for Voluntary Service.
Side by Side Counselling has been rewarded in recognition of its commitment to providing essential counselling services to the community for over 18 years.
This prestigious honour, equivalent to an MBE for volunteer groups, highlights the dedication and impact of Side by Side in supporting individuals through life's challenges.
Established in 2007, Side by Side Counselling has been at the forefront of mental health support, offering a safe space for individuals to share their experiences and receive guidance from both qualified and trainee volunteers.
The organisation's ethos is rooted in compassion, understanding, and accessibility, ensuring that anyone in need can
> receive support regardless of their circumstances.
Over the years, Side by Side has successfully helped thousands of individuals navigate mental health issues, trauma, and emotional distress, fostering resilience and encouraging personal growth.
The dedication of the volunteers, who tirelessly give their time and expertise, has been instrumental in the organisation's success.
This award not only celebrates their hard work, but also acknowledges the community's need for accessible mental health services.
"We are incredibly honoured to receive The King's Award for Voluntary Service," said Luke Entwistle, founder of Side by Side Counselling.
"This recognition is a testament to the unwavering efforts of our volunteers and the vital role we play in our community.
"We are grateful for the trust placed in us by those we serve, and we remain committed to providing compassionate care to everyone who seeks our help."
To celebrate this significant achievement, Side by Side Counselling will be hosting an event on December 16 for its volunteers to come together to honour this recognition and discuss future initiatives.
For more information about Side by Side Counselling, please visit: www.sidebysidecounselling.co.uk or contact them on 07342 144238.
The MyColdhurst award (see above), meanwhile, follows on from a detailed assessment by the local Deputy Lieutenant and is a fantastic accolade for the organisation.
The King has invited volunteers to attend a Royal Garden Party between May and June 2026 to celebrate this fantastic achievement at Buckingham Palace and they will also be presented with a crystal award with the KAVS insignia, presented with a certificate.
The Director and Treasurer of MyColdhurst, Sadrul Alam is immensely proud of this achievement.
He said: “This is a momentous recognition for all the hard working team and volunteers at MyColdhurst.
"The organisation has continued to grow from strength to strength since its formation in 2018 and the volunteer work that we do plays a key role at the heart of all our activities.
"The community of Coldhurst should also be proud of this award as without their help and backing in all our events we simply would not be where we are today.
"A big thank you to all our supporters and funders as they have shown faith in the ability of Mycoldhurst to continue to deliver various activities in the heart of Coldhurst that make a meaningful impact and difference to many residents.
"This truly is a recognition that makes us all proud.”
Kamal Rob, Director and Chairman of MyColdhurst, added: “Receiving the King's Award is an immense honour.
"This recognition means the world to me and validates the tireless efforts our team has put in.
"It's a testament to our collective hard work and dedication.
"This award is not just a personal achievement, but a testament to the team's commitment to excellence.”
Mohammad Razak, Director and Secretary of MyColdhurst, said: “Receiving the King’s Award is an incredibly meaningful honour for me.
"It represents not only recognition of the voluntary work I have been fortunate to take part in, but also a celebration of the impact we can make when we come together to serve our community.
"This award validates the time, effort, and dedication poured into every project, big or small, and inspires me to continue contributing with passion and commitment.
"Beyond personal achievement, it reflects the shared spirit of teamwork, compassion, and resilience that drives our voluntary efforts, making the recognition all the more special and deeply rewarding.”
MyColdhurst is a group of community volunteers who are based in the heart of the Coldhurst ward who really want to make a difference in the community that they are part of.
The main aim of the organisation is to undertake community litter picking/environmental clean activities, supporting everyone in the community with regards their health and well-being and embrace the idea of the community empowering itself by truly loving where they live!
The group was fully constituted in 2018 and is now registered as a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee.
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