Each year the King’s Award for Voluntary Service celebrates the work and dedication of volunteer-led groups from all across the nation. The honour is the highest award for voluntary groups in the country and much like its equivalent MBE (to individuals) is bestowed upon a group for life.
We asked some of the 231 awardees this year, what receiving the KAVS means to them.
Kidz Klub Leeds
For the last 25 years the volunteers of Kidz Klub Leeds have been spreading joy and community to families across central Leeds. Through home visits, a youth leaders programme and providing safe spaces for children to socialise and make friends, Kidz Klub Leeds has become a key pillar of its community.
Volunteers Sarah and Laura shared with us what receiving the KAVS means to them and their group:
“With over 707,00 home visits made and more than 28,000 children reached, the journey has been filled with fun, learning, tears and joy. This award means the world to us at Kidz Klub, as it recognises every volunteer, supporter and team member who have poured love, time and attention into the children and made a lasting difference.
As we enter our 26th year, doing so with the recognition of the King’s Award will help us look forward to an even stronger future filled with promise, purpose and continued transformation.”
Guernsey Conservation Volunteers
In the Channel Islands, the Guernsey Conservation Volunteers dedicate thousands of hours to preserving the Island’s native flora and environment. The group aims to protect Guernsey’s natural beauty for all future generations to enjoy.
The volunteers are currently focused on an ongoing campaign against the Sour Fig, an invasive species introduced by the Victorians, as part of their overall project to preserve the Island’s biodiversity. The project has made a measurable improvement to the quality of the grassland along the Island’s coastline.
Operations Director, Angela Salmon spoke about the increased awareness that the KAVS will bring to their mission, stating:
“By being awarded the King’s Award for Voluntary Service, it will further raise awareness and the profile of conservation needs in our island and the value of volunteering.”
West African Development
West African Development (WAD) in Greater Manchester works to support and educate their community through collaboration with local schools and faith networks. Volunteers deliver workshops about West African cultures, arts and history to foster understanding and cultural exchange. They also support West African communities and refugees with classes in IT, British law and culture as well as healthy living. They even have their own football team who won last year’s Manchester FA League, becoming a source of immense pride in their community.
WAD’s Chairperson Alade Sanni said:
“West African Development work is about empowering communities to create lasting change from the ground up — driven by resilience, collaboration, and hope. Receiving the King’s Award for Voluntary Service is a profound honour that celebrates the spirit of collective action and the incredible volunteers who make a positive transformation possible.”
Each of these groups represents the selfless dedication of volunteers throughout the nation, as well as the immense pride they bring to their local communities.
Today we announce this year’s recipients of The King’s Award for Voluntary Service in The Gazette and Gov.uk.
All this year’s successful groups will be presented with a crystal award and a certificate bearing His Majesty’s signature by the Lord-Lieutenant at a locally arranged event. They also receive two invitations to attend a Royal Garden Party next year.
Do you want to explore what’s going on in your local area? Take a look at our interactive map to find out more about this year’s King’s Award for Voluntary Service awardees.