About this Award
The King’s Award for Voluntary Service is for outstanding achievement by groups which volunteer their own time to enhance and improve the quality of life and opportunity of others in the local communities. It is the highest award given to volunteer groups across the UK.
The King’s Award for Voluntary Service was established by HM Queen Elizabeth in 2002 to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of her Coronation; the first awards were given in 2003. Winners receive a certificate signed by the King and a domed glass crystal both presented by The Lord-Lieutenant. Representatives from the group may also be invited to attend a royal garden party.
Volunteer groups should have been running for three years or more to be nominated. Any group of two or more people doing voluntary work can be nominated but the majority of the group must be volunteers and more than half the volunteers must have the right to live in the UK. The group will need to know they are being nominated.
To be nominated, a group should do work that:
– provides a service and meets a need for people living in the local community
– is supported, recognised and respected by the local community and the people who benefit from it
– is run locally
To nominate a group, you must be independent from the group.
You could be, for example, someone who benefits from the group’s work or someone who’s aware of the group’s work.
You must include at least two letters of support which show:
– how the group helps the local community
– how you know the group
The letters can come from a wide range of people, e.g. those who receive the service, those who know about the service provided, councillors, police officers, mayors, MPs, religious leaders, fire officers, teachers – they do not have to be from people occupying senior positions.
A panel overseen by the Lieutenancy, looks at evidence about the group’s activity, the group’s impact and reputation and how it may have overcome obstacles. The nomination needs to show the panel evidence that the volunteer activity is exceptional, along with information that brings out the roles of volunteers and whether the activity of the group is volunteer-led. Volunteer-led does not mean that ‘only volunteers’ must be involved in the work of the group, it just means that there must be evidence of the volunteers taking a leading role in key aspects of the work of the group.
Also taken into account is how far the group has achieved, or is moving towards achieving, standards of excellence in its organisation and its volunteers.
Anyone aware of the group, including people who benefit from the group’s activities, may make a nomination by completing a form.
Please don’t nominate your own group if you’re a volunteer or paid staff member so as to ensure that nominations are independent and supported.
Visit the KAVS website to nominate a voluntary group for this honour >
Essex QAVS winners
A diverse range of voluntary groups
2023
Mollards Lane Sensory Garden
Refugee, Asylum Seekers and Migration
University of Essex Students’ Union VTeam
2022
ESSEX BOSP (Brighter Opportunities for Special People)
Brentwood Imperial Youth Band
The Listening Post C.I.C
2021
Abberton Rural Training
BATIAS Independent Advocacy Service
Essex Police Special Constabulary
Citizens Advice Southend
2020
3rd Chalkwell Bay Sea Scouts Group
CHESS Homeless, Chelmsford
City of Chelmsford Mencap
Kids Inspire, Chelmsford
Lads Need Dads, Clacton-on-Sea
Patient Panel, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Harlow
Support 4 Sight, Saffron Walden
South Essex Community Hub, Southend-on-Sea
St John the Baptist Church and Tilbury Foodbank
2019
Beacon House Ministries, Colchester
Essex Search and Rescue, Chelmsford
Footprints Community Group, Rochford
Grant A Smile, Loughton
Havering and Brentwood Bereavement Service
Hearing Help Essex, Chelmsford
SOS Rape Crisis, Southend
Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome
Teen Talk, Harwich
2018
One Community Development Trust
Stanford/Corringham and Tilbury Community First Responder Group
Thurrock Mind
2017
Razed Roof Theatre Group, Harlow
Rayleigh Baptist Church Carers Café
Crossing Boundaries Project – Baptist Church, Westcliffe on Sea
2016
Berecroft Residents Association, Harlow
Lee Chapel North: Holiday, Diamond, Work Club and Food Bank
Chadwell St Mary Community Forum
Southend Street Pastors
2015
Independent Parental Special Advice (IPSEA), Saffron Walden
2014
Harlow District Scouts
2013
2012
Gateway Community Media, Basildon
Havens Hospice
Manningtree First Responders
Homeless Action Research Project (HARP), Southend
2011
2010
The Young ME Sufferers Trust (Tymes Trust)
Braintree Over 60s Club
2009
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2008
Brightlingsea & West Mersea Community First Responder Group
2007
2006
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2005
Basildon Pathfinders Blind and Partially Sighted Group
2004
Colchester Rape Crisis Line
Youth Plus, Ongar
2003
Harlow Well Women Centre
SNAP – Special Needs and Parents
The Lord Lieutenant Mrs Jennifer Tolhurst with the Stanford, Corringham and Tilbury Community First Responders Group
Nomination Deadlines
The King’s Award for Voluntary Service runs in annual cycles.
Nominations are made online here:
1st June to 15th September
Local assessments:
1st December to mid-March
National assessments:
Late March to late May
Formal public announcements:
14th November (The King’s birthday)
Learn more about the process at https://kavs.dcms.gov.uk/
Nominate a Voluntary Group
Anyone aware of a group, including people who benefit from the group’s activities, may make a nomination by completing the online form. Please don’t nominate your own group if you’re a volunteer or paid staff member so as to ensure that nominations are independent and supported.
Visit the KAVS website to nominate a voluntary group for this honour >
The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service reception in Chelmsford in February 2018
