Nearly 200 voluntary groups have been granted a Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the Cabinet Office announced today.
The annual award is the equivalent status to an MBE and honours charities and voluntary groups for “outstanding contributions” to local communities by groups of volunteers. It was founded by the queen in 2002 to mark her golden jubilee and currently chaired by NCVO chair Sir Martyn Lewis.
A total of 193 charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups were selected by local assessment panels around the UK, who then passed details to a National Award Committee, the Cabinet Office and the queen herself for approval.
This year saw a greater number of winners than in previous years - a sign that the “voluntary sector is thriving and full of innovative ideas to tackle community challenges”, the Cabinet Office said.
Martyn Lewis, chair of the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service Committee, said this year’s judging panel was “struck by the quality and breadth of all the successful groups”.
“The thousands of volunteers who give up spare time to help others in their community and to help solve problems demonstrate the very best of democracy in action,” he said.
Minister for civil society, Rob Wilson, said the award recognised the “fantastic achievements” of voluntary groups around the country.
“The huge amount of work and commitment these organisations put into their local communities is surpassed only by the passion and motivation of the individuals who volunteer,” he said. “I hope these groups continue to inspire others to get involved and make a positive impact so that we can continue to build a more compassionate society.”
Winners - including War Memorial Community Trust, Open Hands Trust and Bury Speakeasy - will receive a “domed glass crystal” and a chance to attend a royal garden party, the Cabinet Office said.
Nominations for 2017 are now open to any group of two or more people who have participated in voluntary work for more than three years. Nominations for next year’s entries close on 16 September 2016.
