- A one-time special addition to the annual Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service created in honor of Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee
The Government today announced a special and unique addition to the Annual Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS), in honor of Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
Her Majesty has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to public service throughout her 70-year reign, and the annual QAVS is the highest honor awarded to small groups of volunteers across the UK. The winners cover a wide range of activities such as dementia support clubs, community theaters and therapeutic garden projects.
The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Award for Volunteering will now highlight 20 national charities working to empower young people aged 16-25. The number 20 was chosen to reflect the 20 years of QAVS.
A special jury has been convened for the award, made up of experts from the civil society sector and youth representatives, including Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, Fionnuala Jay O’Boyle and Ndidi Okezie.
Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries said:
Since the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service was established 20 years ago to commemorate the Golden Jubilee, thousands of hard-working local volunteer groups across the UK have been recognized for benefiting their communities.
We are delighted to extend our recognition to some outstanding national charities this year with this special Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Award for Volunteerism.
We want to celebrate the important work done by national charities to give young people the skills they need to develop and grow. It is a fitting way to recognize Her Majesty’s 70 years of selfless service to this country.
Sir Martyn Lewis CBE, the Chairman of QAVS, said:
Her Majesty’s faithful service to the nation for over 70 years has been an inspiration to us all and is reflected in the countless acts of volunteerism that happen every day across the UK.
For this special Jubilee award, we look forward to celebrating outstanding work with young people, helping them to thrive and perform at their best. This is a topic close to all of our hearts and close to Her Majesty’s heart.
The Platinum Jubilee Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service is now open for submissions until June 17. Nationally registered charities that help young people (aged 16-25) and have had a national impact either UK-wide or in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland are welcome to apply.
A jury including industry experts and young people will select 20 winners who will be announced in The Gazette in October. Winners will receive this special award at a ceremony in November.
Recent QAVS winners include:
Small acts of kindness that provide handy gift bags to lonely and socially isolated older people in Hertfordshire and direct them to support services.
Equation in Nottingham which runs projects in schools and the community to help prevent domestic violence and encourage healthy relationships.
Gurnos Men’s Project in Glamorgan which involves disengaged young men in community volunteering and horticulture, while helping them improve their basic skills.
Second Wave Center for Youth Arts in London which runs creative projects with young people and works with them to explore key issues such as knife crime and grooming.
Friends of MV Freedom in Dorset who take disabled people out to sea on a specially adapted boat.
Via Wings in County Down, which offers a wide range of support for people in need, including a food bank, teenage supper club, homework help, learning and counselling.
Westhill & District Men’s Shed in Aberdeenshire where socially isolated men can share skills, make friends and work together on repair/renovation projects for the community.
Remarks:
Nominations for the 2023 QAVS Awards are now open until September 15, 2022.
More information and an application form
More information on the main QAVS award
The winners of the 2022 Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service will be announced on June 2.
