BSC Multicultural Services (BSCMS) is a multi-award-winning charity and community organisation. It was established in 1998 by a group of dedicated community volunteers. For more than 24 years now it has been playing a significant role in improving the quality of life of local BME people in Ipswich and Suffolk. In recognition of its high quality of services, BSCMS was awarded MATRIX, a national quality standard, and it received an All-Inclusive Finalist Award from the Learning and Skills Council for its GET IT ON! project.
BSCMS has received recognition at local, regional and national level, having won the ‘Best Community Organisation’ award in the UK, and was invited to Her Majesty the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Celebration at Sandringham Castle in 2012. In 2018, Suffolk County Council and Suffolk Community Foundation recognised BSCMS with the ‘Working Together Award’ and, in May 2018, when HRH Prince Edward visited Ipswich he praised BSCMS’s ‘wonderful’ work.
A year later, BSCMS won the ‘Suffolk Voluntary Organisation of the Year’ award from Suffolk Community Foundation. BSCMS work has been promoted locally and showcased at the national level, including in the House of Commons. The High Sheriff of Suffolk recognised BSCMS with ‘The Suffolk Award’ for its outstanding service during the COVID-19 pandemic and now BSCMS has been awarded the prestigious The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Services for 2022.
Boshor Ali, Chairman of BSCMS, said, “I am delighted that BSC Multicultural Services has been recognised. Congratulations to our trustees, staff, volunteers, service users, funders and well-wishers! For more than 24 years now, BSCMS has been serving our communities with dedication and commitment and I am very happy to receive this accolade. Well done to all my colleagues and let’s keep up the good work.”
Mahbub Alam ‘Shamim’, Treasurer of BSCMS, said, ‘Over the last two decades, BSCMS’s trustees, staff and volunteers have worked diligently to make Ipswich and Suffolk an inclusive, tolerant and prosperous place for everyone to live and work. Our work has not only had a positive impact on BME communities, but also the wider society as a whole. I am delighted that this has been finally acknowledged by none other than Her Majesty the Queen. This is a fantastic achievement for the whole team at BSCMS!’