Do you know an organisation to put forward for the Queens Award For Voluntary Service?
The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS) is the highest award given to local volunteer groups across the UK. It was created in 2002 to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of the Queen’s Coronation. As part of this, we would like Cambridgeshire and Peterborough groups to celebrate the fantastic work they contribute to our communities.
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough tend to receive less nominations than other parts of the country, so we would like to build awareness of this prestigious award among our volunteer-led groups. Over the past few years, we have seen a great surge in communities coming forward to support each other and stand together to create opportunities, support and impact within their communities.
Who can be nominated
Key eligibility requirements are:
- The group must have 3 or more members.
- It must be based in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man.
- It must have been operating for a minimum of 3 years.
- It must provide a specific local benefit (QAVS are not intended for national organisations, although a branch can be nominated).
- QAVS are looking for evidence that volunteers are initiating and driving the group’s work. It may have some paid staff, but we expect at least half of the people who work in the group to be volunteers.
- Groups operating solely for the benefit of animals are not eligible.
To read the full criteria, CLICK HERE
How are you nominated
The group can only be nominated by three individuals with no direct link to the group. This means they can’t be working or volunteering for the group, including those who sit on the committee or trustee board.
There needs to be one primary nominator who fills the form out and then two individuals who are happy to supply a short supporting letter.
The Process
The process is pretty easy once the three individuals have submitted their nominations. The organisation will be contacted. There will be a visit by someone from the Lord Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire who will ensure your organisation has essential health and safety, safeguarding and finance procedures and policies in place.
All awards are announced as part of Volunteers Week which is between 1st and 7th June, through The Gazette. Read about the winner for 2022 here
Want to know more?
The online guidance notes and application form can be found HERE
Hunts Forum will be holding some one-hour workshops that will cover the basics of the award a little more. Introduction to the Queen’s Award of Voluntary Action Workshop: Tuesday 21st June and Thursday 21st July both at 4:30 pm to book Click HERE
