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Queen's Award for Voluntary Service 2014 recipients announced

The prestigious Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service 2014 honours 111 outstanding UK volunteering groups.

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

This unique UK national honour was created over a decade ago by Her Majesty The Queen to mark the Golden Jubilee in 2002 and to recognise the outstanding contributions that groups of volunteers make to local communities. It has an equivalent status for voluntary groups as the MBE has for individuals.

Her Majesty is pleased to announce a range of recipients, including:

  • the Beachy Head Chaplaincy Team works night and day to help those in distress or considering suicide at Beachy Head
  • DEAFvibe offers accessible services that ensure all deaf people are treated equally and with respect

The award is overseen by the Office for Civil Society, in the Cabinet Office. Nick Hurd, Minister for Civil Society said:

Groups and organisations like those honoured today are the key to inspiring the country to get involved in volunteering and make a difference in their community. I would like to congratulate all 111 organisations that have received this year’s Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service and I encourage others to participate and support groups like these in their local area.

This year’s award recipients were selected from over 300 groups. The groups were nominated by members of the public who have seen the difference the volunteers have made to the lives of others, or witnessed the benefits of a group’s work in their community.

Nominate a group for the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service 2015 by 30 September 2014, or read further information about how to nominate.

The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service Award Committee Chair, former broadcast journalist Martyn Lewis CBE added:

With more than 15 million Britons now volunteering at least once a month, this year’s winners of the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service have faced some tough competition. By being honoured in this way they have become the latest champions of a great movement whose members play a crucial role in identifying and tackling a whole range of grass roots problems in communities across our country. They represent the very best of democracy in action.

The award

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 arranged by the Lieutenancy offices and in the countries of Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. The Lieutenant Governors of the Islands of Jersey and Guernsey will also make individual presentations.

The winners will also have the opportunity to attend one of Her Majesty’s garden parties, held at Buckingham Palace during the summer months.

Published 2 June 2014