In honour of the Platinum Jubilee, the Government has announced a special one-off addition to the annual Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS), The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Volunteering Award. The new award will highlight 20 national charities working to empower young people aged 16 to 25. The number 20 has been chosen to reflect 20 years of QAVS.
The annual QAVS is the highest award given to small volunteer groups across the nation. Those who receive awards cover a wide range of activities such as community theatre, therapeutic garden projects, and dementia support clubs.
A special judging panel has been created for the new award and will feature civil society sector experts and youth representatives including Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, Ndidi Okezie, and Fionnuala Jay O’Boyle, Culture secretary Nadine Dorries said of the new award: “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.”
The Platinum Jubilee Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service is open for applications until 17 June. Nationally registered charities helping youth (aged 16-25), who has had a national impact either on a national, UK-wide, English, Scottish, Welsh, or Northern Ireland basis are invited to apply.
Sir Martyn Lewis CBE, the chair of QAVS 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.”
A judging panel including sector experts and young people will select the 20 winners who will be announced in The Gazette this October. Winners will be presented with a special award at a ceremony in November.
As far as the awardees for The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service 2022, those awardees will be announced on 2 June. Nominations for the 2023 QAVS awards are now open until 15 September.
