A TEAM of local volunteers supporting families through some of the most difficult experiences imaginable have received some royal recognition.
Reuben’s Retreat, which has a base in Ashton-under-Lyne, has received The King’s Award for Voluntary Service in recognition of the dedication and contribution of its volunteers.
The prestigious award is the highest honour a local voluntary group can receive and is equivalent to an MBE. The charity is one of 250 organisations across the UK to be recognised this year.
Founded in August 2012 following the death of 23-month-old Reuben Graham, the charity was established by his mum Nicola to provide a place of support and sanctuary for families caring for a child with a life-limiting or medically complex condition, as well as those who have experienced the loss of a child.
Its support includes counselling, one-to-one therapies, peer support groups, afternoon teas, walking groups and activities such as art, music, animal therapies and hydrotherapy swimming.
Almost 5,000 hours of support were provided to 794 beneficiaries during 2025 through the charity’s therapies and activities, helping families connect, cope and create positive memories together.
Behind much of that work is an army of 102 regular volunteers, affectionately known as ‘Reubeneers’, who contributed a combined 1,705 hours last year. A further 195 corporate volunteers donated 948 hours through company volunteering days.
Nicola Graham, founder of Reuben’s Retreat, said: “We’re blown away by this fantastic honour – but we have the most amazing, loyal volunteers who thoroughly and completely deserve it!
“The many hours they donate to us, doing any number of jobs from fundraising and gardening to admin and of course our wonderful trustees, we’d be absolutely lost without them.
“We always say everyone has something they can bring to Reuben’s Retreat and we’re just so grateful for all they do. Whether it’s a couple of hours a month to help count money or a role sharing professional skills, we wouldn’t be able to function without our army of kind-hearted Reubeneers.
“We always do our best to let our volunteers know they are appreciated beyond words – but I hope they feel rightly proud of this wider recognition of just how brilliant they are!”
‘The award is just the icing on the cake!’
Adam Moss, chair of trustees, has volunteered for the charity since its formation in 2012, bringing 25 years of business expertise to the role.
He said: “We are incredibly proud to receive the Kings Award in recognition of the contribution that Reubens Retreat and its army of compassionate hearts has on our local community.
“It is the highest award given to groups like ours and it is an award that specifically recognises the contribution of our volunteers, and we thank them all for everything they bring, from cake sales to animal therapy support, from gardening to walking groups, they all only happen because our generous volunteers give their time and energy to help and support our beneficiaries.
“Even the permanent team at Reuben’s Retreat volunteer additional time to help at events!”
The award has also been welcomed by long-standing volunteer Nina Crane, who has given her time to the charity for 10 years.
The retired civil servant helps with administration at its Ashton office once a week.
She said: “The award is such a huge honour! The highlight of my week is the few hours I spend volunteering in the office. I have loved the diversity of the assignments given to me.
“Personally I feel volunteering saves on much-needed resources and it also is a huge boost to self-esteem as we feel valued and learn so much. I have met some wonderful people along the way too. The award is just the icing on the cake!”
Representatives of Reuben’s Retreat will receive the award crystal and certificate from Diane Hawkins, Lord-Lieutenant of Greater Manchester, in the coming months.
Two of the charity’s volunteers will also attend a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace in May or June 2027 alongside other recipients.
The King’s Award for Voluntary Service was established in 2002 to mark the Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II and continued following the accession of King Charles III.
The recognition comes after Reuben’s Retreat was recently named as the charity that actress Julie Hesmondhalgh would have donated her winnings to had she won Celebrity Traitors.