The Government has today announced a special one-off addition to
the annual Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS), in honour
of Her Majesty the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
Her Majesty has displayed a life-long commitment to public
service throughout her 70-year reign, and the annual QAVS is the
highest award given to small volunteer groups across the UK.
Awardees cover a wide range of activities such as dementia
support clubs, community theatres and therapeutic garden
projects.
The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Award for Volunteering will now
shine a spotlight on 20 national charities working to empower
young people aged 16-25. The number 20 has been chosen to reflect
20 years of QAVS.
A special judging panel has been convened for the award,
comprising civil society sector experts and youth representatives
including Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, Fionnuala Jay O’Boyle and
Ndidi Okezie.
Culture Secretary said:
Since The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service was set up 20 years
ago to commemorate the Golden Jubilee, thousands of hard working
local volunteer groups across the UK have been recognised for
benefiting their communities.
We’re delighted to be extending our recognition this year to some
outstanding national charities through this special Queen’s
Platinum Jubilee Award for Volunteering.
We want to celebrate the important work done by national
charities to empower young people with the skills they need to
develop and grow. This is a fitting way to recognise the 70 years
of selfless service Her Majesty has given to this country.
Sir Martyn Lewis CBE, the QAVS Chair said:
Her Majesty’s faithful service to the nation over 70 years has
been an inspiration to us all and is mirrored by countless acts
of volunteering happening each day across the UK.
For this special Jubilee Award we are looking forward to
celebrating outstanding work with young people, helping them to
flourish and be the best they can be. It’s a theme that’s
important to all of us and is close to Her Majesty’s heart.
The Platinum Jubilee Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service
is now open for
applications until 17 June. Nationally registered
charities helping young people (aged 16-25), who have had a
national impact either on a UK-wide, or England, Scotland, Wales
or Northern Ireland basis are invited to apply.
A judging panel including sector experts and young people will
select 20 winners to be announced in The Gazette in October.
Winners will be presented with this special award at a ceremony
in November.
Recent QAVS winners include:
Small Acts of
Kindness who provide practical gift bags to lonely and
socially isolated older people in Hertfordshire and signpost them
to support services.
Equation in Nottingham
who deliver projects in schools and the community to help prevent
domestic abuse and encourage healthy relationships.
Gurnos Men’s
Project in Glamorgan who get disengaged young men
involved in community volunteering and horticulture, as well as
helping them improve core skills.
Second Wave Centre for
Youth Arts in London who run creative projects with young people
and work with them to explore key issues such as knife crime and
grooming.
Friends of M.V.
Freedom in Dorset who take disabled people out to sea on
a specially adapted boat.
Via Wings in County
Down who provide a wide range of support to those in need,
including a food bank, teenage supper club, homework support,
learning, and counselling.
Westhill & District Men’s
Shed in Aberdeenshire where socially isolated men can
share skills, make friends and work together on
repairing/refurbishing projects for the community.
Notes:
Nominations for the 2023 QAVS awards are now open until 15
September 2022.
More information and an
application form
More information on the main
QAVS award
The awardees for the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service 2022
will be announced on 2 June.
