Nominations for The King’s Award for Voluntary Service 2026

Published: 04 November 2025

Every day, millions of people across the UK are making a difference by volunteering. Each year, outstanding examples of this work are celebrated through the King’s Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS).

Created in 2002 to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee and previously known as The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS), the Award has been shining a light on the fantastic work of voluntary groups from all across the UK for many years.

Equivalent to an MBE, KAVS is the highest Award given to local voluntary groups in the UK, and they are awarded for life.

If learning more about the award has made you think about a fantastic voluntary group you feel deserves recognition, consider nominating.

Nominated groups must meet the following criteria to be eligible for this Award. Each group must:

be made up of three or more people
be based in the UK, Channel Islands or the Isle of Man
have been in operation for at least three years before nomination
have over half its volunteers eligible to reside in the UK
be led by volunteers, not by paid staff; over half its members should be volunteers
provide a specific and direct benefit to the local community

Winning Groups for 2025 will be announced on 14 November.

To nominate you shouldn’t be part of the group and entry is free. Nominations are completed online via the King’s Award for Voluntary Service website.

The King's Award for Voluntary Service - official website (dcms.gov.uk)

Nominations close on Monday 1 December 2025