Voluntary groups honoured by Queen

Voluntary groups honoured by Queen

News (UK)

Over 100 voluntary groups have been given The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service 2013. This national honour was created in 2002 to mark the Golden Jubilee and to recognise the outstanding contributions made to local communities by groups of volunteers. It has an equivalent status for voluntary groups as the MBE has for individuals.

The 117 recipients of the award include Inner East Youth, a group in Belfast that engages disadvantaged young people in confidence building activities to create positive role models and the Dawlish Garden Trust, which helps disadvantaged adults to be independent and learn life skills through shared outdoor activities.

Nick Hurd, Minister for Civil Society said: “I would like to congratulate all those who received this year’s Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, in recognition of their achievements. Having met some of them recently, I was struck by their passion and motivation and hope they will inspire others around them to get involved in volunteering and make a positive impact in their communities.”

The winners were chosen from 270 voluntary groups which were nominated by members of the public. The Award is overseen by the Office for Civil Society, in the Cabinet Office. 

The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service Award Committee Chair Martyn Lewis CBE added

"This year's winners of the Queen's Award for Volunteering have been judged the best in an impressive galaxy of volunteering talent. The achievements of these groups prove that volunteering is embedded deep in our nation's DNA."

Winners will receive a certificate signed by The Queen and an exclusive commemorative crystal, presented by Her Majesty's Lord-Lieutenants in their counties at special ceremonies.

For information on how to nominate a group in 2014 visit www.gov.uk/queens-award-for-voluntary-service.  

  • Civil society
  • Volunteering/trusteeship
  • UK