One of Edinburgh’s Coronation Champions

Edinburgh school pupil, Rachel Mason, has been awarded a “Coronation Champion Award” by King Charles and Queen Camilla for her voluntary work at Bridgend Farmhouse. 

“I feels amazing to receive the award,” said Rachel. “I’ve been a volunteer in the café at Bridgend Farmhouse community centre for just over a year and I absolutely love it.”

Rachel is one of 500 Coronation Champions across the UK, and one of only two in Edinburgh.  More than 5,000 people were nominated for the award in a number of categories, including service to the community, service to young people, service to sport or the environment. 

Rachel works every Saturday at Bridgend. “My role involves liaising with other volunteers about how we are going to run the café that day, to make it an enjoyable and welcoming space. Many of our volunteers have learning difficulties or mental health problems but we manage to overcome our difficulties to work as team.

“I look forward to seeing our regular customers. It’s an opportunity for me to provide some company and friendly chat to people within our community who may be isolated or just appreciate seeing a friendly face.”

The other Edinburgh Coronation Champion is Hannah Beaton-Hawryluk, chair of the Ukrainian Community Centre.