More than 280 voluntary sector organisations have been given the King’s Award for Voluntary Service this year, the government has announced.
The Department for Culture, Media & Sport said there were 281 organisations that had this year been given the award, which recognises outstanding community service.
It is a record high since the award was launched in 2002 to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee.
Of this year’s recipients, 232 organisations are from England, 21 from Scotland, 22 from Northern Ireland, five from Wales and one from the Isle of Man, with 83 per cent of awardees being outside London and England’s south east.
Among those recognised are 3food4u, an armed forces organisation in Essex that provides emergency food, health and wellbeing activities, student mentoring programmes and memory cafés; Autism and Neurodiversity North Scotland; and Bede’s Helping Hands Food Bank in Tyne and Wear.
Also on the list are Isle of Wight Search and Rescue, Kent Volunteer Police Cadets, Merseyside Domestic Violence Service and Suffolk-based Still Good Food, which rescues surplus food, reducing waste and redistributing it to the community.
Stephanie Peacock, the minister for civil society, said: “Volunteers serve at the heart of our communities nationwide, dedicating their time to create positive change and enhance the lives of those around them.
“It’s incredible to see more groups than ever before receive this prestigious award for the inspiring work they undertake each and every day to support people and causes across our communities. I offer my congratulations to this year’s awardees.”
Applications for The King’s Awards for Voluntary Service are assessed each year at a local level by local lieutenancies before consideration of recommended groups by a committee of National Assessors.
Focus is placed on identifying groups that make a tangible impact to their local community, are steered by volunteers rather than paid staff, and have the highest standards in everything they do.
The full list of winners can be found here.
Nominations are open for the 2025 awards on The King’s Award for Voluntary Service website, with applications closing on 1 December.