Each year the King’s Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS) celebrates groups across the UK who demonstrate huge commitment and dedication to improving the lives of people in their communities.
One way which some of the 231 2025 KAVS Awardees do this is through providing unique experiences that inspire and bring people together.
Aerobility
Aerobility provides unique flying experiences to people with disabilities. Last year, 400 individuals, including 291 first-time flyers, enjoyed adventures from the organisation’s Blackbushe base. Adapted planes and hoists provide direct wheelchair-to-cockpit access, allowing flyers to take control, not just fly as passengers. Volunteers also offer classroom and simulation instruction.
Aerobility also educates young disabled people from local schools in essential aviation knowledge like radio procedures and navigation.
Teachers of those attending these programmes comment on the broad improvement in self confidence and the can-do attitude of those participating. A key asset of the education programme is the online Virtual Aviation Experience developed during Covid but also used on outreach programmes
The group’s Advocacy Mission attends around 35 air shows and special events annually, a highlight being its involvement with the opening ceremony of the 2012 Paralympic Games. David Rawlings, an Aerobility volunteer and trained disabled pilot, flew the first ever night time display over a capital city using a plane with fireworks attached piloted by a disabled person. This advocacy all serves to demonstrate that disability is not a barrier to flying.
Another 2025 KAVS winner looks to inspire a new team of scientists.
Discovery Planet CIC
Discovery Planet CIC works with young and disadvantaged people in Ramsgate and Thanet through exploration of science and the natural world. Driven by over 50 volunteers, the group delivers a range of creative and innovative STEM presentations and workshops, reaching over 30,000 attendees to date.
Beyond education, Discovery Planet is a vital community hub operating from Ramsgate High Street, running initiatives like the High Street Social Club and ‘Happy Mondays’ to combat loneliness and isolation, and hosting free community-wide events.
Its ground breaking approach to STEM engagement has made it a national exemplar, recognized with the Royal Society of Chemistry Inclusion and Diversity Prize in 2024. Through partnerships and funded projects, Discovery Planet provides enriching activities, work experience opportunities, and builds a vibrant, cohesive community, fulfilling its mission to inspire everyone in Thanet.
The Safe Anchor Trust Ltd
The Safe Anchor Trust Ltd (SAT) is an entirely volunteer-led charity, established in 1995. The group provides over 700 therapeutic boat trips annually for more than 7,500 beneficiaries in the local Dewsbury area. Relying solely on donations for operating costs, SAT offers unique, tailored boat experiences between March and October to diverse groups including those with physical and mental disabilities, youth groups, dementia groups and people in care homes.
These boat trips help to reduce isolation and loneliness, build confidence, and provide vital respite to members of the community.
SAT is actively working to encourage more passengers from disadvantaged and ethnically diverse communities, exploring an additional boat at Dewsbury Marina to improve local access. Outside of the cruising season, volunteers dedicate time to boat maintenance and environmental projects, demonstrating a deep commitment to the community and making a tangible difference to thousands of local people’s mental health and wellbeing.
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 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.