Nominations now open for the prestigious Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.
When reading these words, which local voluntary organisation springs to mind? Which community groups do they make you think of? And do they deserve the ultimate recognition for the work they do? The answer is almost certainly “yes”.
The Queens Award for Voluntary Service is the MBE for not-for-profit organisations—the highest award given to volunteer groups across the UK—celebrating the extraordinary work being carried out by volunteer-led groups providing a benefit to local communities.
If you know of a local charity, CIC, or community group that deserves this recognition, then you can nominate them for a Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, it’s a great way to get outstanding local volunteers the recognition they deserve.
Nominations are subject to eligibility criteria, but essentially, the award is for:
- Groups that are truly outstanding and making a big difference to their local community.
- Groups where volunteers, rather than paid staff, are in the driving seat
- Groups that have the highest standards in everything they do.
Nominators must be independent; a member of the public with a good knowledge of the group’s work (such as a beneficiary or long-term supporter) and be able to supply letters of support from two additional people who also know the group well.
Whether the VCSE organisation you have in mind is providing food parcels to vulnerable families, counselling or mental health support, befriending services to combat loneliness and isolation, information and advice to asylum seekers, emergency response—or any other support or services that help to improve the lives of local communities—then the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service would be the ultimate reward.
Nominations for a 2023 award are open until 15th September 2022 and groups that are nominated will be researched and visited by a member of a local panel and a shortlist agreed by the National Assessment Committee will be sent to The Queen for approval. Organisations that are awarded a Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service could also receive a special invitation for two representatives to attend a Royal Garden Party.
Nominate an outstanding volunteer-led group for a Queen’s Award here
Previous awardees from Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire include:
- Walk Ministries (2021)
- Spark Burntwood (2021)
- The Hub Fenton (2020)
- New Vic Volunteers (2019)
- The Beatrice Charity (2019)
- Rugeley and District Community First Responders (2018)
