HRH The Princess Royal visited Lifeskills on 9th July, to present the charity with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award presented to charitable organisations, and for its Coming of Age 21st birthday.

Every year Lifeskills teaches around 13,000 visitors how to stay safe in their everyday lives and how to avoid accidental injury.

The Princess was given a tour of the Centre and was shown the realistic life-size road, burning home, supermarket and railway track and other scenarios where children safely learn about hazards and learn first aid and other essential life skills. This was the third visit by the Royal visitor as she opened the Centre in 2000 and came again to marks its tenth birthday.

Lifeskills General Manager Andy Townsend said: “We were delighted that the Princess Royal has shown such a keen interest in our charity by visiting three times and of course it is a privilege to be presented with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. It’s recognition for the enthusiasm and hard work of our many volunteers who give the children an interesting, enjoyable and educational experience.“

The Princess also oversaw the presentation of Bristol Blue Glass awards to four volunteers who have accomplished more than 1,000 sessions each:

Violet Delmas, of Wraxall (1,039 sessions)

Andy Denn, of Keynsham (1,173 sessions)

Gloria Gurton, of Whitchurch (1,190 sessions)

Judy Lee, of Westbury-on-Trym (1,001 sessions)

Award winner Judy Lee said: “I thoroughly recommend volunteering at Lifeskills. The children have a lot of fun and it is rewarding seeing them thinking about the scenarios and how to avoid dangers. They leave very animated and we get lots of comments back about how they enjoyed their visit.”

The Princess spent more than an hour at Lifeskills talking to volunteers and staff and meeting representatives from supporting organisations including Avon and Somerset Constabulary, Avon Fire and Rescue Service, and South Western Ambulance Service.

Anyone interested in finding out more about becoming a volunteer guide should contact 0117 9224511 or [email protected]

In 2018-2019, 36,000 children under the age of four, living in the West of England area, visited hospital A&E because of an accidental injury at home.

Lifeskills has been helping families to live safer, healthier lives for over 20 years. We are looking at ways in which we can increase the home safety advice and information given to families, and would love to hear your views.

Please take part in this quick online survey to tell us what support is needed to keep babies, toddlers and young children safe from harm at home.

To complete the online survey please CLICK HERE

The survey will only take a few minutes and all responses are completely anonymous.

To safeguard our volunteers and visitors, and to minimise the risk of exposure to the COVID-19 virus, we’ve regrettably taken the decision to close our doors to all visitors. We’ve held our last session, with our lovely volunteers doing what they do best! A message to everyone, please follow the guidelines being set. Keep safe and stay well! We are already looking forward to welcoming you back later on in the year!

Come along to Lifeskills on 28th November for an amazing afternoon of free activities!