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The King’s Award for Voluntary Service

Celebrating the outstanding work of local volunteer groups across the UK.

Nominations are now open for the 2025 round! To find out more about nominating a local group near you, click here.

About the King’s Award for Voluntary Service

Every day, millions of people across the UK are making a difference by volunteering. Each year, outstanding examples of this work are celebrated through the King’s Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS).

Created in 2002 to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee and previously known as The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS), the Award has been shining a light on the fantastic work of voluntary groups from all across the UK for many years.

Equivalent to an MBE, KAVS is the highest Award given to local voluntary groups in the UK, and they are awarded for life.

Sir Martyn Lewis CBE, the KAVS Chair, announces the recipients of the 2023 Award

We want to celebrate:

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 highest standards in everything they do.


Know of a fantastic volunteer group?

If learning more about the award has made you think about a fantastic voluntary group you feel deserves recognition, consider nominating.

Award process

1 September – 1 December

Nomination period is open – new nominations for the award are being accepted. Find out more about how to nominate.

January to June

Eligible groups are assessed initially by the local lieutenancies and then by the national assessors.

November onwards

The awardees are announced on 14 November. The KAVS crystal and certificate will be presented shortly afterwards by the local Lord-Lieutenant.

Read details about the award process and meet the assessors

Volunteering opportunities

If reading about some of the amazing work of these groups has inspired you to think about volunteering yourself, then check out some of these handy resources to help find the right volunteering opportunity for you.

The KAVS is extremely grateful to The Garfield Weston Foundation, Sir Mark Pigott KBE and ShareGift for generously funding the creation of this website.

Founders logos: The Garfield Weston Foundation,Sir Mark Pigott KBE and Sharegift