The King's Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS)

The King's Award for Voluntary Service is awarded annually to charities and voluntary organisations around the UK to recognise outstanding work and achievement.  It is the highest honour given to volunteer groups, and is regarded as the equivalent of an MBE for charities.  

The King's Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS) was formerly known as the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS) and was introduced in 2002 to mark the Queen's Golden Jubilee, with the first awards announced in 2003.  Recipients of the QAVS were revealed on 2nd June each year - the anniversary of the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.  In February 2023, King Charles III announced that the annual awards would be renamed and continue, with recipients being announced annually on 14 November - the King's birthday.

The Bailiwick of Guernsey has a strong tradition of volunteering and a significant number of local groups and charities have already been recognised through this prestigious award.  A list of local recipients is available here.

Nominations of worthy organisations is strongly encouraged, and are submitted online.  Nominations can be made from 01 June, and close on 15 September.  All nominations are initially reviewed by the national KAVS office.  Eligible organisations then have a detailed local assessment, which will review all aspects of the organisation, its management, and procedures.  You can find further information about nominating here.

Further information about the KAVS is available on their website: https://kavs.dcms.gov.uk.