King’s Award for Voluntary Service

Volunteering

Do You Represent Excellence in Volunteering?

If you would like to find out if your organisation or group may qualify for a King’s Award for Voluntary Service then the Kent Lieutenancy is here to help you in the process.

We won’t tell you what to do but we can guide and support you.

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The King’s Award For Voluntary Service

Benefits and Eligibility

What can a King’s Award for Voluntary Service bring to your voluntary group, charity or community interest?

  • The KAVS is the MBE for voluntary service and brings recognition at the highest level.
  • It will focus attention of funders on your organisation.
  • If you win The King’s Award, you will represent excellence in your field.
  • It will be a huge thankyou to your volunteers and your group will be an inspiration to others in your community.

 

Eligibility Checklist

  • Is your organisation or group doing volunteering work?
  • Are at least half of your group unpaid volunteers?
  • Have you been operating to a high standard for at least three years?
  • Does your work excel in meeting a community need?
  • Is your work respected, supported and recognised by your community and the people who benefit from it?

 

Beth from Square Pegs Drama Group, winner in 2017 of the QAVS said, ‘We are absolutely thrilled to receive this award and recognition for the important work we do. This award has made us feel really proud of what we have achieved to date, and we look forward to continuing to grow and develop in the future.’

KCC Chairman (2017-2018) David Brazier says, ‘Daily life in the UK could not be sustained without volunteers. The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service benefits any organisation that receives it because the honour is shared amongst all within it. The recognition and esteem of the award can commend the organisation to those with funds to grant. I would encourage anybody who is aware of selfless work on behalf others to consider nominating the group concerned for the QAVS.’

David McKee, Chairman of QAVS winner, Wealden Sailability says, ‘We are delighted to be recipients of the QAVS. It is a recognition for all our volunteers and also acts like a stamp of approval that we have been inspected and found to be worthy of the honour. As a result we find that organisations and individuals come to us with greater confidence in all that we do.’

Stephen Gray, CEO of QAVS winner, Young Lives Foundation Appropriate Adults Service says, ‘We are delighted that we have been recognised with this prestigious award. We can say with some confidence that our appropriate adults are some of the most dedicated volunteers in the country and this award is a great way of recognising that and saying thank you for all that they do’

KAV logo
Still Interested?

We Hope So!

In Kent, The King’s Award for Voluntary Service is led by Mr Paul Auston DL and he is assisted by Jenny Ongley in the Kent Lieutenancy Office.

Contact us here at the Kent Lieutenancy to talk about your potential nomination and we will be happy to assist.

kavs@kent.gov.uk

03000 416531

Current Award Holders

2025 Winners

The groups in Kent awarded The King’s Award for Voluntary Service in 2025 are Ark Drama 2000, BRCA Kent, Discovery Planet CIC, Eastchurch Aviation Museum, Kent Active Retirement Association, Maya’s Community Support Centre, Medway Watersports Trust Ltd.

 

ARK Drama 2000
Ark Drama 2000

Developing children’s wellbeing in South East Kent through drama with emphasis on those with SEND.

BRCA Kent
BRCA Kent

Supporting women in Kent with a BRCA1 or 2 faulty gene and increasing awareness within the Community

Discovery Planet CIC
Discovery Planet CIC

Bringing inspirational STEM educational experiences to the heart of the disadvantaged community.

Eastchurch Aviation Museum
Eastchurch Aviation Museum

Inspiring and enriching the whole community through the history of aviation at Eastchurch.

Kent Active Retirement Association
Kent Active Retirement Association

Operating local clubs for retirees to alleviate loneliness and social isolation.

Maya’s Community Support Centre
Maya’s Community Support Centre

Operating a Community Support Centre, Café, Food Bank and Free Shop

Medway Watersports Trust Ltd
Medway Watersports Trust Ltd

Providing water sports training and outdoor activities to young people and families in Medway.

Historical Winners

Previous Award Winners

2024 Winners
2023 Winners

 

2022 Winners
2021 Winners
2020 Winners
2019 Winners
2017 Winners
2016 Winners
2015 Winners
2013 Winners
  • Cobbes Meadow Group Riding for the Disabled Association – Chartham
  • Kent Archaeological Rescue Unit – Dover
  • The Pickering Cancer Drop-in Centre – Tunbridge Wells
2012 Winners
  • Chatham Dockyard Historical Society– Chatham
  • Citizens’ Rights for Older People – Maidstone and Canterbury Offices
  • Demelza Kent Childrens’ Hospice -Sittingbourne