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.

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:

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.

QAVS Recipients from Merseyside

Congratulations to these incredible Merseyside organisations who have recently been awarded the QAVS: