The King’s Award for Voluntary Service champions the outstanding work of groups of volunteers in their local communities – and this year is no exception.

These groups do so much for the people around them, by enriching their lives and their neighbourhoods. They carry out important work, recognising a whole variety of different needs and addressing them in ways that are sensitive and relevant to the local area. In short, they are an integral part of life right across the UK.

The breadth and depth of nominations is always very impressive. This year, 281 organisations are awarded this special honour, the equivalent of an MBE for volunteer-run groups.

So I’d like to thank each and every one of them for their commitment and compassion, for their hard work and their infectious enthusiasm, as well as their sense of duty.

It’s not often that these volunteers pause to celebrate everything they have achieved, but I hope that receiving this award gives them the opportunity to do just that.

From Keswick Community Housing Trust in Cumbria, providing affordable eco-friendly homes to help tackle homelessness, to the Stirling School of English, teaching English to asylum seekers and refugees.

From Dean Trail Volunteers, who are building safe and inclusive mountain bike trails for disabled cyclists in the Forest of Dean to Queenspark Women’s Group in Northern Ireland, helping young people access employment and improve their communities….

 ….just some examples of the incredible organisations being recognised for their work.

Countless communities have benefitted from the ideas and energy of these volunteers, changing lives for the better and setting an incredible example to all who see what they do. Maybe you know a volunteer-driven organisation near you doing wonderful work too. Why not have a look online and consider nominating them for next year.