The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service

The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS) was established in 2002 to celebrate The Queen’s Golden Jubilee.  The award is the highest honour that can be given to voluntary groups.  Its status is equivalent to the MBE.

The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service is given for outstanding achievement by groups of volunteers who regularly devote their time to helping others in the community, improving the quality of life and opportunity for others and providing  outstanding service.

Anybody may nominate, but groups must not self-nominate.  A group can be nominated if it consists of two people or more, is based in the UK, has been in existence for at least three years, and over half of its members are volunteers.

Nominations should be submitted electronically in the period April-September for the following year’s award. The winners are announced in the London Gazette on 2 June. The Lord-Lieutenant subsequently presents winning groups with a commemorative piece of crystal and a certificate from The Queen.

Details on the nomination process are available on the https//qavs.culture.gov.uk

The QAVS Winners for 2020

AIR (Activity in Retirement), Macclesfield

Overwater Wheelyboat Services, Audlem

OPAL Services, (Rural West Cheshire)

Vale Royal Talking Newspaper

The QAVS Winners for 2019

Earlams Styal Village Community Store, Café and Gallery

ELLA Together

Frodsham Community Association

Knutsford Hosts

Merseyside & Cheshire Bloodbikes

Recent winners in Cheshire include: