Truro’s Community and Hospital Broadcasting Network (CHBN), has been honoured with the King’s Award for Voluntary Service for 2026. This is the highest award a local voluntary group can receive in the UK. It is equivalent to an MBE.

CHBN provides a hospital radio service to the patients, staff and visitors of the Royal Cornwall, West Cornwall and St Michael’s Hospitals. It is also a community radio for Truro and the surrounding areas.

Its programmes – broadcast 24/7 – comprise a mix of music, entertainment and speech. Their content helps alleviate the boredom, loneliness and isolation associated with a stay in hospital, or when recovering from ill-health at home.

In addition, CHBN works with the NHS and many other local organisations to create and broadcast information, advice and support to help improve the listeners’ mental and physical health and well-being. The organisation dates from 1980, since then it has been run entirely by volunteers.

The Voluntary Service Award was created in 2002 to celebrate Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s Golden Jubilee. It was retained following the accession of His Majesty the King. CHBN is one of 250 local charities and voluntary groups to receive the award this year.

Representatives of the Community and Hospital Broadcasting Network will receive the award crystal and certificate from Colonel Sir Edward Bolitho, Lord-Lieutenant of Cornwall, in the coming months. In addition, two volunteers from CHBN will attend a Royal Garden Party in May or June of 2027, along with other recipients of this year’s award.

Mark Sanders, Chairman of CHBN said: “It is an immense honour and privilege for CHBN to receive the King’s Award for Voluntary Service. Our amazing and committed team of volunteers between them devote hundreds of hours each week to broadcast entertainment, information, advice and support to those in Cornwall’s hospitals and the local community. We do not volunteer to get recognition or thanks, but this award is dedicated to every one of CHBN’s volunteers past and present. They have worked tirelessly to build the organisation to what it is today. From the bottom of my heart and on behalf of the listeners and those who have helped over the years, thank you”