Salvation Army Ivybridge recognised for service to community
published on 28 May 2024
Captains Ruth and Ian Hammond and their army of volunteers at The Salvation Army in Ivybridge were delighted to be chosen as The Nick Cummins Community Group of The Year at the recent Ivybridge Town Council annual community awards.
Operating from ‘The Bridge’ in Leonards Road, The Salvation Army team runs a low-cost café where everyone from parents and toddlers to older people can enjoy soup and cakes made lovingly by volunteers, and sit in a warm safe space for a chat.
The public, who were asked for their nominations for these awards, also mentioned The Salvation Army’s Christmas present appeal, Christmas lunch on 25 December for people who were in need or alone, and the Bees baby bank.
Ruth and Ian Hammond were presented with a certificate by Ivybridge Mayor, Councillor Alan Spencer, with The Bridge embossed on a shield alongside the organisations recognised in previous years.
Ruth said: “It’s beautiful to have had this recognition from the local community and we’d like to say thank you for nominating us. Ivybridge is a very mixed community, with pockets of wealth as well as working poverty. We’re incredibly grateful to the people and businesses who have and continue to generously donate to our baby bank and our Christmas present appeal, helping the families in our town who are less fortunate.
“We also have the pleasure of working alongside other community-focused organisations in the town, such as the Trussell Trust, So Social and The Dove Project whose clients come to us for volunteering opportunities at The Salvation Army.
“Ian and I could not do this important work without our army of volunteers, and we are so grateful for the time, care and effort they give to helping us serve our community in the best way we can.”
As well as a pay it forward scheme at the café to make sure nobody is excluded, The Salvation Army team have been able to help local residents with PIP forms, what to do with an eviction notice, and introduced people to the council housing team for further help.
