The  King's Award for Voluntary Service (previously Queen's Award for Voluntary Service) is the highest award given to UK volunteer groups, being equivalent to the MBE.

The prestigious award recognises exceptional work done by volunteer groups in their communities.

When are the awards announced?

The King's Awards for Voluntary Service awardees are announced annually on 14 November on the King Charles III's birthday, when a special supplement of The Gazette is published.

This national honour was first announced in April 2002 to mark the anniversary of the Queen Elizabeth II's coronation, with the first awardees announced in 2003 (Gazette issue 56950).

How are the winners nominated and chosen?

Anyone aware of the group, including people who benefit from the group's activities, may make a nomination. After consideration, local assessment panels send their chosen nominations to a national award committee. 

Who is eligible?    

To be eligible for the King's Awards for Voluntary Service, a group must:

• be made up of three or more people
• be based in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man
• have been in operation for at least three years
• have over half its volunteers eligible to reside in the UK
• be led by volunteers, not by paid staff (we would normally expect at least half the group’s members to be volunteers)
• provide a specific and direct local benefit

How can I nominate a group?

In order to nominate a group for the King's Awards for Voluntary Service, you must not:

• be a volunteer, employee or trustee of the group, or in any way involved with the running of the organisation

You must also:

• be a member of the public with a good knowledge of the group’s work (such as a beneficiary or long-term supporter)
• be able to supply two separate letters of support from two additional people who know the group well

Nominations are made online and you will need to complete the nomination form and submit the two letters of support.

Submissions for the 2024 awards have now closed. Nominations for the 2025 awards will be accepted from 1 September 2024.

Previous King's Awards for Voluntary Service supplements

Year	Issue
2024	Gazette issue 64568
2023	Gazette issue 64227

Previous Queen's Awards for Voluntary Service supplements

You can see all the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service supplements published under Queen Elizabeth II below.

Year	Issue
2022	Gazette issue 63720
2021	Gazette issue 63366
2020	Gazette issue 63013
2019	Gazette issue 62658
2018	Gazette issue 62303
2017	Gazette issue 61945
2016	Gazette issue 61599
2015	Gazette issue 61244
2014	Gazette issue 60882
2013	Gazette issue 60522
2012	Gazette issue 60161
2011	Gazette issue 59799
2010	Gazette issue 59435
2009	Gazette issue 59086
2008	Gazette issue 58714
2007	Gazette issue 58343
2006	Gazette issue 57998
2005	Gazette issue 57656
2004	Gazette issue 57305
2003	Gazette issue 56950

Find out more at GOV.UK and The King's Award for Voluntary Service website 

Images

• The Grand Northern Ukulele Festival, an inclusive, inspiring weekend of arts and music in Huddersfield, 'events to connect, inspire and promote the very best in all of us', © James Millar
• Loughborough Students' Action, '25,000 hours of volunteering annually; helping all ages; improving social support, education and the environment'.

Publication updated

14 November 2024