Ten voluntary groups from across the county who work in the community have been honoured with the Kings Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS), the highest national award a voluntary group can receive in the UK.
The King’s Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS) was originally created by the Late Queen as the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS) in 2002 to celebrate The Queen’s Golden Jubilee. The QAVS became the KAVS with the death of HM The Queen in 2022. Recipients of the KAVS are announced at the anniversary of The King’s birthday on 14th November each year.
The ten groups are amongst 262 charities, local enterprises, and volunteer-led groups to receive the prestigious award this year across the UK.
The number of nominations remain high year on year showing that the voluntary sector is thriving, and full of innovative ideas to make life better for those they support.
This award is given to volunteer groups across the UK to recognise exceptional service within their communities. The KAVS is considered as the MBE for voluntary groups.
Representatives of the winning groups receive the KAVS Award Crystal, and a KAVS Certificate signed by HM The King which provides a handwritten citation of the work of the group from His Majesty’s representative in the County, the Lord Lieutenant, at a local ceremony. Two volunteers from the winning groups are invited to attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace in the summer of the following year, along with other recipients of this award from across the country.
The ten winning groups from Essex
African Families in the UK play a vital role in linking the needs of diverse ethnic groups to statutory and voluntary sectors who want to help these communities.
Colchester Foodbank is one of the largest in the region, but it delivers more than food. It provides short-term emergency support to people in crisis by signposting those in need to other support networks and organisations.
Enterprise East Group CIC tackle social isolation and employment barriers, through their work-based training academy and a range of exceptional learning experiences within their community.
Mollards Lane Sensory Garden provides a disabled access sensory garden cultivated with plants and vegetables, chickens, and other attractions, for those with special needs and their families, carers, and friends. It provides a little space of calm, to heal and feel tranquillity, for those with special needs in their hectic world.
Parents 1st Essex provides peer support to parents during pregnancy, childbirth, and early parenthood. They help expectant parents prepare for changes ahead and navigate services available to them, connecting them with others in their community, and being by their side through the life-changing journey of becoming a parent.
Refugee, Asylum Seekers and Migration Action provides a welcoming space and a sense of community to refugees, asylum seekers, vulnerable migrants, and victims of domestic abuse. The dedication of the volunteers’ support some of the most hidden communities in the area.
Saffron Hall Trust is an arts and education charity presenting outstanding events and community arts engagement, attracting audiences from across the region and beyond. Saffron Hall seeks access to high quality arts for everyone, creating projects that break down barriers, including Together in Sound, a unique music therapy for people living with dementia and their companions.
SANCTUS charity provides food and support for the homeless and vulnerable people of Chelmsford and surrounding areas.
The One Love Project offers a welcoming, friendly, non-judgemental space that is well supported by professional services and experienced volunteers for the homeless, those with addictions, or have mental health issues or struggling to feed their family, offering food, clothing, advice, and appropriate support.
University of Essex Students’ Union VTeam is a record-breaking collective of students who, with the support of the Students’ Union, volunteer thousands of hours to make a positive difference to people’s lives. Their projects include cultural integration for refugees, support for the vulnerable both young and old, schools’ projects, supporting charities and community events, and bigger issues like the environment and mental health.
Awards Presentations
The ten Essex winners will receive their Award from Mrs Jennifer Tolhurst, Lord Lieutenant of Essex, at a local ceremony in the New Year, celebrating their success with their volunteers, staff and many who have received their services.
Mrs Jennifer Tolhurst, Lord Lieutenant of Essex said:
“The announcement of ten winners of the prestigious King’s Award for Voluntary Service across Essex, the highest national award for voluntary groups, is a wonderful tribute to the outstanding work of the voluntary sector.
The number of awards won across Essex is the highest number for any non-metropolitan county in the country and the highest number ever achieved in Essex in one year. This achievement speaks volumes for the excellence of volunteering in our county and the increasing importance of volunteers for community wellbeing. It also highlights the hard work of the Essex King’s Award for Voluntary Service Panel, who are responsible for assessing the groups nominated for the award; they take their work seriously to help promote and reward excellence in volunteering across Essex.
I look forward to presenting the King’s Award for Voluntary Service to each of the winning groups in the months ahead and to celebrate their achievements with their volunteers and many who receive their services”.
