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.

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

2022 Winners

The groups in Kent awarded The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in 2022 are Hands of Hope, Friends of Westbrook and Stonebridge Pond, Sheppey Matters and Sheppey Sea Cadets.

 

Hands of Hope logo
Hands of Hope

Hands of Hope are a remarkable charity building communities and improving mental health and wellbeing by connecting with nature and each other.

Friends of Westbrook logo
Friends of Westbrook and Stonebridge Pond

Friends of Westbrook and Stonebridge Pond are a group of volunteers completely dedicated to maintaining Westbrook Stream, Stonebridge Pond, and surrounding habitats to benefit the community.

Sheppey Matters logo
Sheppey Matters

Sheppey Matters are an outstanding volunteer group supporting well-being, reducing loneliness and isolation, and creating opportunity in Sheppey.

Sheppey Sea Cadets logo
Sheppey Sea Cadets

Sheppey Sea Cadets are an exceptional Cadet Force offering activities and education to cadets, developing life skills, discipline and teamwork.

Chatham Town logo
Chatham Town Football Club

The excellent Chatham Town Football Club wins the Award for bringing together the Medway community by harnessing the power of sport to reach out and transform lives.

Historical Winners

Previous Award 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