Fifteen voluntary groups are thanked at a special reception

The purpose of the event was to promote all Honours & Awards presented in the name of His Majesty The King to individuals, groups and companies in Greater Essex and specifically to say “thank you and well done” to 15 voluntary groups who have been nominated this year for the prestigious King’s Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS).

The nominated groups are:

1st Ockenden Cubs Pack

4 Youth Brightlingsea

Achieve, Thrive, Flourish (ATF), Southend

BASICS Essex

Bridgeway Mission, Colchester

Essex Schools Food & Farming Day, ARU Writtle

Icanyoucantoo, Warley

National Coast Watch Institute, Canvey Island

North Avenue Youth Centre, Chelmsford

Rayleigh Town Museum

SCAFT Supporting Carers and Families Together, Rayleigh

Southend Beach Care Group

Thurrock LGBTQ+ Community Network

Uttlesford Community Action Network

Wellbeing at Garon’s Park, Southend

Winners are expected to be announced in November this year.

 

The reception brought together all local authorities from across Greater Essex, the Community Voluntary Services (CVSs) and others closely connected to the voluntary sector.  In addition to showing considerable gratitude and congratulating the excellent voluntary groups which have been nominated, the reception promotes the KAVS scheme to those closely connected to the voluntary sector and to encourage them to nominate other qualifying  voluntary groups in the future. Similarly, it is an ideal opportunity to promote the importance of recognising individual excellence and outstanding achievement under the National Honours scheme and to encourage businesses and enterprises to apply for recognition under the King’s Awards for Enterprise scheme.

 

Jennifer Tolhurst, Lord Lieutenant for the County of Essex, said, “The voluntary sector in Essex makes a huge contribution to the well-being and life of our great county. This evening it is wonderful to be able to bring together both the many excellent voluntary groups to celebrate their achievement and also those who are close to the voluntary sector to encourage them to find more outstanding groups for future nomination. In addition, this evening is about celebrating the achievements of individual honours winners and outstanding businesses who have won the prestigious King’s Award for Enterprise, and to encourage further excellence in the county.”

 

Councillor Ray Gooding, Chairman of Essex County Council, said, “It was a great pleasure to jointly host this reception with the Lord Lieutenant to thank the excellent voluntary groups who have been nominated for the King’s Award for Voluntary Service. The reception is also an opportunity to promote the King’s Award for future nominations and I hope that those who work closely to the voluntary sector e.g. local authorities, CVSs and others, will think of excellent local groups and get them nominated for this prestigious award. This is also an opportunity to identify outstanding individuals and nominate them for a National Honour, and encourage excellent companies who make a huge contribution to our communities to put themselves forward for the King’s Award for Enterprise.”

 

The reception is generously supported by Essex County Council, Thurrock and Southend Councils, Essex Police and MITIE (ECC’s facilities provider).

Any group of two or more people that has participated in voluntary work for more than three years can be nominated for the award.