Queens Award Nominations Open For 2022
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. 2022 marks the 20th anniversary of the award, coinciding with the Queen’s Plantuim Jubliee. 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 year, 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 nomination. The organisation will be contacted. There will be a visit by someone from the Lord Lietunet 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 2020 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: 15th June at 18:30 till 19:30, and again on 20th July at 17:00 till 18:00 – BOOK HERE
If you would like some more support with your policies and procedures, please contact your local CVS or infrastructure organisation:
| Hunts Forum | Any organisations working within Huntingdonshire | keith@huntsforum.org.uk |
| CCVS | Any organisation working in Cambridge City, South Cambs and Fenland | enquiries@cambridgecvs.org.uk |
| Voluntary Community Action East Cambs (VCAEC) | Any organisation working in East Cambs | granville@vcaec.org.uk |
| Cambridgeshire ACRE | Any voluntary community groups linked with community buildings. | enquiries@cambsacre.org.uk |
