David Boughey was recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours List earlier this year for Services to the Community in Coventry. He received the accolade last week from Princess Anne at a ceremony at Windsor Castle.
David led Coventry’s Host City volunteers during the London2012 Olympic Games and has sustained that local volunteer legacy through leading a social enterprise EnV and growing community volunteering across a wide range of events, training & volunteer programmes.
David began volunteering himself in sport from an early age and has worked in community sport & volunteering for over 20 years having built his & Coventry’s reputation as a leading model of best practice for event Host City Volunteering, including being invited to Japan to share learnings & train volunteers across Tokyo ahead of the 2020 Games & more recently with Birmingham’s Commonwealth Games Host City volunteers.
Following on from the 2012 Coventry Ambassador volunteers David continues the legacy with continued passion & enthusiasm having successfully led Coventry’s City Host volunteer team during the UK City of Culture and additional community volunteer programmes including working with schools & colleges to train Coventry Young & Youth Ambassadors to inspire the next generation of volunteers.
Under David’s leadership EnV & its Coventry Ambassador volunteer programmes have twice been awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service delivering significant positive impact across the local community.
David said: “Receiving this award was an unexpected honour, a very proud moment for me personally, but also very importantly, recognition of all those that have supported EnV & myself over the years especially our amazing volunteers that have and continue to make a positive difference as part of our local legacy here in Coventry. With limited resources over the last ten years for our Community Interest Company we have navigated through and continue to meet some big challenges, however our volunteers inspire me to overcome those challenges together and continue to make a positive difference for them and all visitors and residents they meet. It has been the dedication, enthusiasm and commitment of the volunteers that has driven me, this honour is powered by those who continue to give their valuable time to volunteer.”
EnV Volunteer Astrid Clarke said “The EnV volunteer family couldn't be prouder of David receiving his MBE. He has shared his vision of the importance of volunteering with us, encouraged us to be the best possible. He often tells us how proud he is of us, thanks us for our support and hard work. We volunteers are delighted that this award says the same, a big thank you to David.”
Tracy Murphy, Board Member at EnV added “Having had the pleasure of knowing David for nearly 18 years, I am so pleased that all his work for community volunteering and events has been recognised at the highest level. With David as the backbone and driver of the organisation this is the reward for all the hard work he has put in.
As one of EnV’s Directors, this is a very proud moment for the social enterprise and one that is thoroughly deserved for one of the nicest, caring friendliest people that I know. David is respected for his work and everyone you speak to has only praise and admiration for his expertise & enthusiasm.”
Find out more about EnV Volunteers at www.env.uk.com