Russell Hogarth recognised for community work carried out on behalf of the University
A University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) Honorary Fellow has been recognised for the community and voluntary work he carries out on behalf of the University with an invitation to the final Queen's Garden Party of the year.
Russell Hogarth was invited for his role as the Chair of the UCLan Creative Communities Group (CCG); a collective of more than 400 members who work with local partners on community projects, as well as the work he does with the National Forum for Health and Wellbeing (NFHW) and the British Association of Social Workers (BASW).
Russell, who also aids UCLan students as a Lancashire School of Business and Enterprise Entrepreneur in Residence, is the CEO for the NFHW and in this role helps to organise the University’s annual Health Mela for the local community to have a free health check.
The Queen’s Garden Parties are regarded as a way of recognising and rewarding public service. Traditionally the Queen hosts three Garden Parties at Buckingham Palace, and one at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Scotland.
"It was both an honour and a privilege to be invited to this year’s Royal Garden Party, especially in Her Majesty's Jubilee Year, and to be greeted by members of the Royal Family."
— UCLan Honorary Fellow and community ambassador Russell Hogarth
Russell went to the special event at Buckingham Palace with his wife Dianne. It was attended by Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the Earl and Countess of Wessex, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and Princess Beatrice.
Russell said: “It was both an honour and a privilege to be invited to this year’s Royal Garden Party, especially in Her Majesty's Jubilee Year, and to be greeted by members of the Royal Family.
“I was particularly impressed by how much time William and Kate spent speaking to the visitors who lined the walk to the Royal Tea Tent. The Palace gardens and grounds were splendid in the May sunshine and we enjoyed tea, sandwiches, and cake whilst a military band played throughout the event.
“It was delightful to spend the afternoon in the company of some amazing people who have dedicated their time to supporting good causes in the community.”
"Russell is a philanthropist, and his fellow colleagues recognise his contribution to our society and the positive difference that he has made to members of the local community."
— Professor Romesh Gupta OBE, chairman of the NFHW and Honorary Professor at UCLan
Russell has supported UCLan since 2008, becoming an Honorary Fellow in 2012 in recognition of his community and voluntary work, with a special emphasis on mental health, and has been a community ambassador for UCLan since 2013.
Highlights of his work with the CCG include organising UCLan’s annual One Billion Rising global event to raise awareness of violence against women and children, bringing the Jo Cox Great Get Together event to UCLan and arranging the University’s first ever knife crime conference.
Professor Romesh Gupta OBE, chairman of the NFHW and Honorary Professor at UCLan, congratulated him. He said: “It’s wonderful news that Russell’s community work has been recognised in this way. Russell is a true community leader who helps to give a voice to people who don’t often have a voice. He has worked tirelessly to raise awareness and signpost people to support and much needed services.
"The CCG, under Russell’s leadership, has gone on to achieve tremendous success and is now recognised both nationally and internationally as a model of best practice in lifelong learning and active citizenship. "
— The Lord-Lieutenant of Lancashire, Lord Shuttleworth
“Russell is a philanthropist, and his fellow colleagues recognise his contribution to our society and the positive difference that he has made to members of the local community.”
The Lord-Lieutenant of Lancashire, Lord Shuttleworth, said: “Russell is definitely a role model for both UCLan and the Creative Communities Group. The CCG, under Russell’s leadership, has gone on to achieve tremendous success and is now recognised both nationally and internationally as a model of best practice in lifelong learning and active citizenship.”
