The King's Award for Voluntary Service

The King's Award for Voluntary Service
Award logo
Award logo
Awarded forFor outstanding achievement by groups of volunteers
CountryUnited Kingdom, Crown Dependencies
Presented byThe King
First awarded2003
Websitekavs.dcms.gov.uk

The King's Award for Voluntary Service,[1] previously known as The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service,[a] is an annual award given to groups in the voluntary sector of the United Kingdom and the Crown Dependencies. Until 2022, awardees were announced in the London Gazette on 2 June each year, the anniversary of the coronation of Elizabeth II. Starting in 2023, the awards have been announced on 14 November, Charles III's birthday.

The award is equivalent to the MBE and is the highest award that can be made to a voluntary group. The award is managed by the UK Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

History

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The award was announced by Elizabeth II on 30 April 2002, in celebration of her Golden Jubilee, as part of her Golden Jubilee speech to the House of Lords and House of Commons.[2][3] The first awards were made in 2003.[4]

In February 2023, it was announced by Charles III that he wished to continue his mother's legacy by giving his name to the awards.[5] The awards will be announced annually from 2023 on his birthday, 14 November.[5]

Eligibility

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Groups of three or more people can be nominated. The group must have been in operation for at least three years and their work must provide a specific and direct benefit to the local community.[6][7]

Award

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Nominations are made online and around one in three nominations are successful.[8] Winners receive a certificate signed by the King and a domed glass crystal. The volunteer group's representatives also may be invited to attend a royal garden party by the King.[7]

Procedure for assessment and selection

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Each nomination is first appraised in the county or Crown Dependency where the group works. This appraisal is led by the Lord Lieutenant (or Lieutenant Governor in the Crown Dependencies), His Majesty's representative in the county or country, helped by a County/Country Assessment Panel of leading representatives from diverse sectors of the community. The Lord Lieutenant/Lieutenant Governor or their representatives, or both, may meet with the nominated group.

A Specialist Assessment Panel of independent volunteering experts from across the UK judge nominated groups against the Award criteria, taking into account the first appraisal. The panel passes its recommendations to the Main Award Committee.

The Main Award Committee advise the Cabinet Office and the Minister for Civil Society.

The award is decided after the King has given his formal approval. [9]

Recipients of The King's Award for Voluntary Service (2023 onwards)

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The recipients of the inaugural King's Award for Voluntary Service were gazetted on Tuesday 14th November, 2023.[10][11]

Recipients of The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service (up to 2022)

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As of June 2018, over 1,500 groups had received the award,[12] including:

Notes

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  1. ^ Also known by its special editions' names: "The Queen's Golden Jubilee Award for Voluntary Service by Groups in the Community", "The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Volunteering Award", and "Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Volunteering Award".

References

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  1. ^ "King Charles III continues Queen Elizabeth's legacy by giving His Majesty's name to prestigious awards". Gov.uk. 26 February 2023. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
  2. ^ "Full text of the Queen's Jubilee speech". BBC News. 30 April 2002. Retrieved 8 June 2008.
  3. ^ "Nominating a group for The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service". GOV UK. Retrieved 20 July 2016.
  4. ^ Queen Elizabeth II and the Royal Family: A Glorious Illustrated History. DK Publishing. 2015.
  5. ^ a b "King Charles III continues Queen Elizabeth's legacy by giving His Majesty's name to prestigious awards". Department for Culture, Media and Sport and Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy. 26 February 2023. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
  6. ^ "Eligibility - The King's Award for Voluntary Service". The King’s Award for Voluntary Service. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
  7. ^ a b "Queens Award for Voluntary Service". GOV UK. Retrieved 20 July 2016.
  8. ^ Hennessey, Kat (25 June 2014). "The Queen's Awards for Enterprise". GOV UK. Retrieved 20 July 2016.
  9. ^ "WATV – UK Queens Award". Archived from the original on 7 March 2019. Retrieved 7 March 2019. Procedure for Assessment and Selection
  10. ^ "THE KING'S AWARD FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE 2023". The London Gazette. No. 64227. 14 November 2023. p. J1. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
  11. ^ "THE KING'S AWARD FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE 2023" (PDF). kavs.dcms.gov.uk. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
  12. ^ "Winners and case studies of The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service". Direct Gov. Archived from the original on 27 September 2012.
  13. ^ "Andy's Man Club Halifax receives The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service". www.halifaxcourier.co.uk. 2 June 2021. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
  14. ^ Matt Smart (2 June 2020). "North Devon Hospice's volunteers receive royal recognition with Queen's Award". North Devon Gazette. Retrieved 26 June 2021.
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