The King’s Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS) formally the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, 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:

1. The group must have 3 or more volunteers. 
2. It must be based in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man. 
3. It must have been operating for a minimum of 3 years. 
4. It must provide a specific local benefit (KAVS are not intended for national organisations, although a branch can be nominated). 
5. KAVS are looking for evidence that volunteers are initiating and driving the group’s work. It may have some paid staff, but they expect at least half of the people who work in the group to be volunteers.
6. Groups operating solely for the benefit of animals are not eligible.
7. The impact of the volunteers is truly amazing.

To read the full criteria, CLICK HERE 

Please note this is not an award for volunteer managers to thank their team of volunteers, but for groups of volunteers who are driving social action in their community. This is not to say an organisation can’t be nominated but it needs to be clear that the volunteers are going above and beyhond.

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.  

 

Want to know more? 

The online guidance notes and application form can be found HERE 

Support Cambridgeshire will be holding one-hour workshops that will cover the basics of the award a little more. 

Introduction to the King’s Award of Voluntary Service Workshop: Thursday 20th July – 5:00 – 6:00 pm 

Click HERE to book on the workshop

Everyone and anyone is welcome to attend the workshop. Please also feel free to ask questions by emailing info@supportcambridgeshire.org.uk , we will try and answer your question if not forward to the national KAVS team.