National charities are being urged to apply for the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS) as a special one-off occasion for the Platinum Jubilee.
To reflect 20 years of the award, 20 national charities that are working to empower young people aged 16 – 25 will receive the recognition. Applicants must include volunteers in the delivery of their work.
The judging panel is made up various experts involved in civil society. Some are Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, former Paralympian and chair of Sport Wales, long-serving charity trustee Fionnuala Jay O’Boyle and CEO of UK Youth Ndidi Okezie.
The award is now open for applications until 17 June.
To celebrate 'important work'
Culture secretary Nadine Dorries said: “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.”
Winners will be announced in October, and presented with the award at a ceremony in November. The QAVS is the highest award given to volunteering groups across the UK.
Martyn Lewis, 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.”
Nominations for the 2023 QAVS awards are also open until 15 September.
Related articles
