In Kent, The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service is led by Mr Paul Auston DL and he is assisted by Jenny
Ongley in the Kent Lieutenancy Office at County Hall in Maidstone. Jenny can be contacted at
qavs@kent.gov.uk or telephone 03000 416531 if you would like any advice or assistance.
If you would like to find out if your organisation or group may qualify for a Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service
then the Kent Lieutenancy is here to help you in the process. We won’t tell you what to do but we can guide
and support you.
Things you should know…
What can a Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service bring to your voluntary group, charity or community interest?
It is the MBE for voluntary service and brings recognition at the highest level.
It will focus attention of funders on your organisation.
If you win The Queen’s Award, you will represent excellence in your field.
It will be a huge thank you to your volunteers and your group will be an inspiration to others in your community.
Thank you for taking the time to answer these questions
Unfortunately, your organisation does not meet the criteria for The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service at present
but if you would like to discuss this further, please contact us at
qavs@kent.gov.uk
Beth from Square Pegs Drama Group, winner in 2017 of the QAVS said, ‘We are absolutely thrilled to receive
this award and recognition for the important work we do. This award has made us feel really proud
of what we have achieved to date, and we look forward to continuing to grow and develop in the future.’
KCC Chairman David Brazier says, ‘I am convinced that daily life in the UK could not be sustained without
volunteers. The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service benefits any organisation that receives it because
the honour is shared amongst all within it, and, of course, the recognition and esteem of the award
can commend the organisation to those with funds to grant. I would encourage anybody who is aware
of selfless work on behalf others to consider nominating the group concerned for the QAVS.’
David McKee, Chairman of QAVS winner, Wealden Sailability says, ‘We are delighted to be recipients of
the QAVS. It is a recognition for all our volunteers and also acts like a stamp of approval that
we have been inspected and found to be worthy of the honour. As a result we find that organisations
and individuals come to us with greater confidence in all that we do.’
Stephen Gray, CEO of QAVS winner, Young Lives Foundation Appropriate Adults Service says, ‘We are delighted
that we have been recognised with this prestigious award. We can say with some confidence that our
appropriate adults are some of the most dedicated volunteers in the country and this award is a great
way of recognising that and saying thank you for all that they do’