Body Positive Honoured with The King’s Award for Voluntary Service 2025

Three decades of LGBTQ+ support recognised with the UK’s highest volunteer accolade

Body Positive Cheshire & North Wales has been awarded The King’s Award for Voluntary Service 2025, the UK’s highest honour for volunteer groups. The award recognises the charity’s more than 30 years of work supporting LGBTQ+ people, those living with or affected by HIV, and the wider community across Cheshire.

Founded in the early 1990s as a peer-led response to the HIV crisis, Body Positive has developed into a community hub offering support groups, heritage projects, wellbeing programmes, social activities and training. Much of its work is delivered by volunteers, many of whom have been part of the organisation for years.

Chair Michelle Simpson said:
“This award is a tribute to the hundreds of volunteers who’ve given their time, compassion and creativity to help others feel seen and supported. It belongs to every person who’s made a brew, led a group or simply been there when someone needed it. There are exciting plans for the next 30 years as we continue meeting the needs of LGBTQ+ people in our community.”

Body Positive’s Patron, songwriter and broadcaster Tom Robinson, offered warm congratulations:
“Congratulations to everyone at BPCNW on receiving the King’s Award for Voluntary Service 2025. This well-deserved honour marks 30 extraordinary years of service, advocacy and support for LGBTQ+ people in Cheshire. Massive congratulations to all the volunteers and staff — past and present — who have built this legacy of pride and progress. Here’s to the next 30 years of growth, innovation and life-affirming changes across Cheshire — and thank you for allowing me to be part of it.”

Across three decades, Body Positive has launched initiatives such as Silver Rainbows, Technicolour, TransPositive and the Glow Choir. Their heritage programme, From Prejudice to Prides, has helped uncover and celebrate LGBTQ+ history across the county. Volunteers play key roles as group facilitators, project leads, peer supporters and event organisers — often quietly and without fanfare.

Representatives from Body Positive will be invited to a local ceremony with the Lord Lieutenant of Cheshire to receive the crystal award and certificate signed by King Charles III, with an opportunity to attend a Royal Garden Party later in the year. This recognition marks not only the organisation’s past, but its future — with plans underway to expand support, strengthen community partnerships and continue shaping LGBTQ+ wellbeing and inclusion for decades to come.

Press contact:
Body Positive
Email: health@bpcnw.co.uk
Tel: 01270 653150

Tom Robinson

tomrobinson.com