The King’s Award for Voluntary Service 2024

Do you know a voluntary group that deserves recognition for the work it does?  Why not consider nominating it for a national award?

Terry Hephrun, Chair of the Lancashire Panel for the King’s Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS) said “Following the death of HM Queen Elizabeth II, King Charles III has graciously agreed to continue the Award by agreeing to launch the King’s Award for Voluntary Service. It is the highest honour that can be bestowed upon groups of this kind and is equivalent in status to the MBE. Every day, millions of people across the UK are making a difference by volunteering. Each year, outstanding examples of this work will be celebrated through the King’s Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS).

“As such, The King’s Award not only serves to provide recognition of volunteer groups, but also demonstrates the high respect in which volunteering is held.  Its purpose is to recognise exceptional groups of individuals who are giving their time freely for the benefit of others and are making a real difference in the communities they serve.  In this Coronation year, it seems appropriate to look to encourage a good number of nominations for Lancashire.

“Groups must be nominated for the Award – self nomination is not permitted. A group (three or more people) can be nominated if it is based in the UK, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. The group has to have been volunteering for the benefit of people in the UK or overseas for at least three years and more than half its members must be volunteers who have the right of residence in the UK. It must provide a specific local benefit and Groups solely concerned with fundraising for charitable purposes or operating solely for the benefit of animals are not eligible.”

Groups who were previously successful in the Awards speak highly of the impact the Award has had on their organisation eg

“Winning the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service has increased morale, given us a renewed sense of purpose and a determination to continue our work in the community.  We are grateful for the recognition that the award has brought to our club, and we will continue to serve our community with passion and dedication.”

“We are convinced the recognition helped us gain grant funding late last year. We are very proud to have received the Award.”

The KAVS Team at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport administers the Award and will happily help with any queries. You can contact them at kingsaward@dcms.gov.uk or 0207 271 6206

Further details on eligibility criteria and the nomination process (which is a fairly straightforward online system) are available from: https://kavs.dcms.gov.uk/

Nominations for the 2024 awards can be made from 1 June 2023 and the closing date is 15 September 2023.