{"id":2415266,"date":"2026-05-13T17:16:54","date_gmt":"2026-05-13T17:16:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=2415266"},"modified":"2026-05-13T17:16:54","modified_gmt":"2026-05-13T17:16:54","slug":"royal-visit-for-support-centre-after-kings-award","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/royal-visit-for-support-centre-after-kings-award\/","title":{"rendered":"Royal visit for support centre after King&#8217;s Award"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div data-article-body=\"true\">\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The founder of a charity in Kent that won the King&#8217;s Award for Voluntary Service has shared her experience of an &#8220;amazing&#8221; royal visit.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Maya&#8217;s Community Support Centre, in Herne Bay, operates a support centre, cafe, food bank and free shop.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Founder Maya Amangeldiyeva said that the visit to the garden party at Buckingham Palace was &#8220;very special&#8221; and that she was honoured to represent the charity&#8217;s volunteers.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">&#8220;Our volunteers are so dedicated, and I am extremely pleased their work and efforts are recognised,&#8221; she said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Amangeldiyeva added: &#8220;They love what they do because they are giving thousands of people a sense of hope.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Calling the award &#8220;particularly special&#8221; for the charity, she added: &#8220;It is the volunteers who have helped make all our work possible.&#8221;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-0 size-full\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-3 right-3 rounded-full bg-primary p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-primary\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" class=\"flex-none size-4 -scale-x-100 text-primary lg:size-6 [&amp;_path]:fill-current\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M3.1 3.1V11h1.8V6.314l5.392 5.393 1.415-1.414L6.313 4.9H11V3.1zm17.8 17.8V13h-1.8v4.686l-5.393-5.393-1.415 1.414 5.393 5.393H13v1.8z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed bottom-0 left-0 right-0 top-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-primary hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p>Dr Andrew Robertson, one of the trustees of Maya&#8217;s Community Support Centre, also attended [Handout]<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Amangeldiyeva said that she felt &#8220;inspired&#8221; after meeting volunteers from other charities on Tuesday.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">&#8220;It just reminds you that there are so many good people out there,&#8221; she added.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">She said that she wore an outfit from the charity&#8217;s shop to &#8220;promote sustainable clothing and to reduce the stigma surrounding donated clothing&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">&#8220;I want to show everyone that you can still look good wearing donated outfits,&#8221; she added.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"Seven people standing behind a table which is covered with perishable goods. The people are all looking at the camera and smiling, holding up packets of food.\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"540\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/cDNJwtGgzxDbbk1H2Iwu7A--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTU0MDtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/bbc_us_articles_995\/d508ff3949f381e12ba6711a91714070\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-0 size-full\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-3 right-3 rounded-full bg-primary p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-primary\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" class=\"flex-none size-4 -scale-x-100 text-primary lg:size-6 [&amp;_path]:fill-current\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M3.1 3.1V11h1.8V6.314l5.392 5.393 1.415-1.414L6.313 4.9H11V3.1zm17.8 17.8V13h-1.8v4.686l-5.393-5.393-1.415 1.414 5.393 5.393H13v1.8z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed bottom-0 left-0 right-0 top-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-primary hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p>Maya Amangeldiyeva founded Maya&#8217;s Community in Herne Bay [Maya&#8217;s Community Support Centre]<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The centre has helped thousands of people, both locals and abroad, including those affected by the 2023 Turkey-Syria Earthquake, Amangeldiyeva said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">According to the community centre, when it opened its new free shop in October 2025, there were more than 1,300 visitors.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">It also received 883 bags of donations and provided food for 901 people in the first week.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">In 2024, <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/articles\/cdeyj5094l9o?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Byahoo.north.america%5D-%5Blink%5D-%5Bnews%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"elm:link;elmt:article_link;slk:the community centre won the BBC Make A Difference Award in the Green category;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;the community centre won the BBC Make A Difference Award in the Green category&quot;}\" class=\"link \">the community centre won the BBC Make A Difference Award in the Green category<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Last year, <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/articles\/cgq049dzyg8o?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Byahoo.north.america%5D-%5Blink%5D-%5Bnews%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"elm:link;elmt:article_link;slk:Amangeldiyeva was also featured in The Big Issue's magazine's 100 Changemaker's List.;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;Amangeldiyeva was also featured in The Big Issue'&quot;}\" class=\"link \">Amangeldiyeva was also featured in The Big Issue&#8217;s magazine&#8217;s 100 Changemaker&#8217;s List.<\/a><\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"A group of people holding pictures of a purple crown. There are white and purple balloons in the background.\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"540\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/MUH65MI4waY4XKqpmZ_4hA--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTU0MDtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/bbc_us_articles_995\/7c4b639b2d3cae3584a7b2756798f387\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-0 size-full\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-3 right-3 rounded-full bg-primary p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-primary\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" class=\"flex-none size-4 -scale-x-100 text-primary lg:size-6 [&amp;_path]:fill-current\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M3.1 3.1V11h1.8V6.314l5.392 5.393 1.415-1.414L6.313 4.9H11V3.1zm17.8 17.8V13h-1.8v4.686l-5.393-5.393-1.415 1.414 5.393 5.393H13v1.8z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed bottom-0 left-0 right-0 top-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-primary hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p>Maya&#8217;s Community Support Centre received the King&#8217;s Award for Voluntary Service in 2025 [Maya&#8217;s Community Support Centre]<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The King&#8217;s Award for Voluntary Service is the highest award given to voluntary groups in the UK and was first established by Queen Elizabeth II in 2002 to coincide with her golden jubilee.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The award is equivalent to an MBE for charities, a spokesperson said on its website.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><em>Follow BBC Kent on <\/em><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/BBCinKent\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"elm:link;elmt:article_link;slk:Facebook;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;Facebook&quot;}\" class=\"link \"><em>Facebook<\/em><\/a><em>, on <\/em><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/BBCRadioKent\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"elm:link;elmt:article_link;slk:X;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;X&quot;}\" class=\"link \"><em>X<\/em><\/a><em>, and on <\/em><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/bbcinkent\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"elm:link;elmt:article_link;slk:Instagram;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;Instagram&quot;}\" class=\"link \"><em>Instagram<\/em><\/a><em>. Send your story ideas to <\/em><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.yahoo.com\/news\/articles\/mailto:southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk\" data-ylk=\"elm:link;elmt:article_link;slk:southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk&quot;}\" class=\"link \"><em>southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk<\/em><\/a><em> or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.<\/em><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"mb-4 text-xl font-bold md:text-2xl\">More on this story<\/h2>\n<h2 class=\"mb-4 text-xl font-bold md:text-2xl\">Related internet links<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><script async src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><em> \u2018 The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n<p><em> \u2018 Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.yahoo.com \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The founder of a charity in Kent that won the King&#8217;s Award for Voluntary Service has shared her experience of an &#8220;amazing&#8221; royal visit. Maya&#8217;s Community Support Centre, in Herne Bay, operates a support centre, cafe, food bank and free shop. Founder Maya Amangeldiyeva said that the visit to the garden party at Buckingham Palace [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2415267,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":[],"jnews_primary_category":[],"jnews_social_meta":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[43],"tags":[26597,472761,472759,472760,472758],"class_list":["post-2415266","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-royalty","tag-buckingham-palace","tag-community-support-centre","tag-maya-amangeldiyeva","tag-support-centre","tag-voluntary-service"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Royal-visit-for-support-centre-after-Kings-Award.jpeg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2415266","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2415266"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2415266\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2415268,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2415266\/revisions\/2415268"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2415267"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2415266"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2415266"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2415266"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}