Charity gets voluntary service MBE

Swindon Charity gets voluntary service MBE from the Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire.

On Friday, March 7th, the Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire, Dame Sarah Troughton, presented Big Breakfast Plus with the King’s Award for Voluntary Service.  

Big Breakfast Plus was one of a handful of charities selected to receive the prestigious award. Announced in November 2024, it recognizes its volunteers’ continuous dedication and tireless efforts.

Breakfast is served

The charity served over 4,200 breakfasts in 2025. Averaging over 70 a day, BBP prides itself on serving fresh, cooked breakfasts. They do it in a warm and welcoming environment, to those in need. The charity’s volunteers have also contributed over 1,700 hours in 2025, so far.  

Presenting the award

Presenting the award, the Lord Lieutenant commended the charity’s service to the Swindon community. She noted how the award recognized how hard all the volunteers worked. They ensure that a fresh cooked breakfast is available seven days a week, for those in most need. Also speaking of the charity’s service to the local community, the Lord Lieutenant commented on the effect the service has on those in need. She highlighted that starting the day with a good breakfast and a good chat with others, can bring hope and strength to many of the vulnerable people accessing the service. 

Receiving the Award from the Lord Lieutenant, on behalf of Big Breakfast Plus, were two of the charity’s volunteers, Angela Proctor and Jim McLeod. Both of whom are long-standing volunteers at the charity.  

Commenting on receiving the award, Angela said: ‘It’s a true recognition for Big Breakfast Plus to receive this Award. Every shift I volunteer on brings something different. Knowing that people walk away having eaten a decent breakfast, sometimes the only hot food they’ll have all day, is a feeling like no other.’

Also commenting on receiving the award, Jim added: ‘I’ve volunteered with Big Breakfast Plus for over 10 years. And I’ve enjoyed every shift. Being able to be part of a charity providing vulnerable people with breakfast, brightening some of the darkest days, is one of the most rewarding things you can do. The Kings Award for Voluntary Service is a lovely recognition for the efforts the volunteer teams put in. On every day of the week.’

What Big Breakfast Plus does

Big Breakfast Plus manages to support some of the most vulnerable and marginalised people in the town’s community. They do it by providing breakfast in a warm and welcoming environment. It’s thanks to the support of the wider Swindon community that the charity can run seven days a week and support the numbers of people it does daily.  

See also:

Big Breakfast Plus Swindon