The King's Award for Voluntary Service

Eligibility

The King’s Award for Voluntary Service is the highest award given to volunteer groups across the UK. It was created in 2002 to recognise the contribution of volunteers and worthwhile causes who work so tirelessly for their community, yet do not seek out the attention or publicity that they richly deserve. Merseyside has a significant number of these incredible groups and organisations that truly work for the benefit of others in outstanding ways.

The King’s Award for Voluntary Service nominations is now open! If you know a person or organisation that is doing something unique, why don’t you nominate them! Everything you need to know can be found by following the links on this page, or contact Helen Tanzey, the Clerk to the Lieutenancy on msl.clerk@lieutenancy.info or telephone: 0151 363 9528.

Any group of 2 or more people doing volunteering work can be nominated for the award. The majority of the group must be volunteers, and more than half the volunteers must have the right to live in the UK.

To be nominated they 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
Volunteer groups should have been running for 3 years or more to be nominated

How are the winners decided?

Local assessment panels look at all the nominations and decide which ones to send to the National Award Committee. The committee makes recommendations to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), which sends a final list to the Queen for her approval.

Further information or advice on making a nomination for the QAVS is available through the Merseyside Lieutenancy office, or you can click here to read more on The Government website.

Benefits of winning?

Winners receive a certificate signed by the Queen and a domed glass crystal. Representatives from the group may also be invited to attend a Royal Garden Party. Significantly, award recipients are entitled to use The Queen’s Award emblem on their website, stationery and other printed material. A QAVS is an indicator of the worth and credibility of an organisation and often assists in helping to fundraise, attracting philanthropic giving, and overall profile.