The King’s Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS) is the highest award given to local volunteering groups in the UK. Equivalent to an MBE, The KAVS is awarded for life.
Formerly The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the KAVS honours the very best of local voluntary groups, showcasing how they create a positive impact in their communities.
Today, on His Majesty The King’s actual Birthday, we celebrate the groups across the UK receiving a KAVS in 2025.
This year we are honouring 231 groups across the the length and breadth of the nation; here are just a few of this year’s well-deserving recipients:
Saathi House
In the West Midlands, Saathi House uplifts and empowers women, young people and those from migrant communities; helping them to learn new skills and find independence.
Since 1977 the volunteers of Saathi House have strived to address inequalities faced by women. The group’s beneficiaries comprise a diverse group of women but particularly those of Bangladeshi and South Asian heritage.
The services offered by the group fall into 3 main categories: Creative Arts, Personal Development and Wellbeing. These cover a range of activities from Maths and English classes to forums where individuals can discuss their personal wellbeing or how to inspire meaningful change in their community.
Building on their nearly 50 years of service the volunteers of Saathi House continue to make a lasting impact on the lives of those they serve.
Open Door Drama Group (SCIO)
In rural areas such as the Shetland Isles, opportunities to get involved in the arts can be sparse. Since 1990, Open Door Drama Group (SCIO) have sought to address this, providing opportunities for Shetlanders to get involved in all aspects of the performing arts.
The group offers community performances, free drama clubs and youth group sessions.
For those who may not want to appear on stage, Open Door Drama Group also provides training in other related areas such as lighting, sound, costumes and make-up.
Alongside developing their drama skills, beneficiaries are able to forge friendships and build their confidence, allowing the Open Door Drama Group (SCIO) to foster a safe and supportive environment for their beneficiaries to express themselves.
Valley Veterans
Valley Veterans supports local armed forces communities across the Rhondda Valley in Wales. The group was founded as an informal PTSD support group and has since grown into an energetic community hub supporting veterans and their families.
The group helps to tackle loneliness and isolation, providing mental and physical support to everyone from children in armed forces families to veterans aged 90 years and above.
Activities include equine therapy, horticultural activities and a breakfast club to name just a few. The group also helps with benefits advocacy and assistance in mental and physical health clinics.
Ballymacash Sports Academy Ltd
In Northern Ireland, Ballymacash Sports Academy Ltd in County Antrim ensures that the whole community has access to sporting opportunities. These outstanding volunteers seek to make sport accessible to all regardless of age, gender or ability as well as improving people’s mental and physical health.
This group serves its wider community not only through the provision of top quality sports and social facilities but also through encouraging users to become volunteers. Through their time at Ballymash Sport Academy, many who started simply as visitors to the site have grown their confidence and leadership skills, choosing now to return as volunteers, bringing with them fresh ideas and new perspectives. A practice that will allow Ballymash Sport Academy to continually develop to meet the needs of its community long into the future.
Today we announce this year’s recipients of The King’s Award for Voluntary Service in The Gazette and on 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 the following 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.