Outstanding Voluntary Groups in Devon

Published on 19th February 2010

Outstanding Voluntary Groups in Devon

Do you know any? If so, do you know about The Queens's Award for Voluntary Service?

This honour was introduced in 2002 to mark The Queen's Golden Jubilee and is given annually.  The Award provides recognition for the very many voluntary groups whose generosity of time and energy in the service of others is a remarkable tradition in our county communities, and makes such a big difference to the daily lives of so many people.

Those who receive the Award find it raises public awareness of what they do and provides encouragement to the volunteers involved.  Everyone benefits. 

So what is involved?

Nominations made by the end of September each year to the Award Administrator in London are sent to The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service Panel in Devon to undertake an initial assessment. This includes visits by Panel members to the nominated organisations. These assessments are then considered nationally alongside nominations received from elsewhere in the UK. Winners are announced in June and the Award is presented soon afterwards by the Lord Lieutenant on behalf of The Queen.

A group (two or more people) can be nominated if it has been providing a high quality service to benefit people in the community normally for at least three years. The majority of the group's members must be volunteers. Groups involved in fundraising activities are eligible for the Award if their fundraising activity:

  • involves volunteers
  • focuses on creating or holding an event or local activity, rather than simply asking for donations
  • is to provide something that can be shown to benefit the local community.

Full information about the Award and how to nominate a group that you believe deserves to be recognised can be found on The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service website, to visit click here

There are many voluntary groups in Devon who might qualify but they need to be identified and nominated to start the ball rolling. If you know of one or more, please find the time to nominate. The volunteers involved deserve it.

For guidance notes for a nomination click here

For an electronic nomination form click here

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