VOLUNTARY and charitable organisations in south Warwickshire, which support a variety of causes from the environment and climate change to social care and dementia, have officially been awarded The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS) 2022.
It is the highest award a local voluntary group can receive in the UK and is equivalent to an MBE and aims to recognise outstanding work by to benefit their communities.
It was created in 2002 to celebrate The Queen’s Golden Jubilee. Recipients are announced each year on June 2 – the anniversary of The Queen’s Coronation.
The QAVS receipients in south Warwickshire for 2022 are:
* Harbury e-Wheels, who use electric cars to provide essential transport and support to the rural community, while also working to provide e-charging for the whole village.
* Heart of England Forest volunteers grow and manage woodland across south Warwickshire and Worcestershire, monitoring its biodiversity. Their work protects biodiversity and provides opportunities for recreation, education, and training.
* Kissing it Better in South Warwickshire helps to address isolation among older people by bringing the generations together and matching young volunteers with older people who have similar interests.
* The Pam Britton Trust for Dementia in Leamington and south Warwickshire supports people living with a dementia illness, as well as providing support for their carers.
Representatives from the groups will receive the award crystal and certificate from Tim Cox, Lord Lieutenant of Warwickshire, later this summer. In addition, two volunteers from each group will attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace next May.
The south Warwickshire organisations are part of 245 local charities, social enterprises, and voluntary groups to receive the prestigious award this year.
Mr Cox, The Queen’s representative in Warwickshire, said: “It is important to recognise those who selflessly work to improve the lives of others and the groups given the Queen’s Award this year do exactly that.
“In Warwickshire we have a thriving and robust voluntary and charitable sector and we need to continue to celebrate all they do on behalf of fellow citizens and our communities.
“I hope that we will see more groups nominated for the Queen’s Award in the future.”
Warwickshire County Council leader Izzi Seccombe also offered her congratulations.
She added: “Volunteers have, and continue to, make a vital contribution towards Warwickshire’s local communities, from protecting, preserving, and promoting our environment, providing for the elderly and supporting young people, to offering emotional and physical support to those in need.
“The application process for the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service is open for 2023, and we encourage people from across Warwickshire to nominate even more voluntary groups so that their hard work and positive contributions can be deservedly recognised.”
Visit qavs.dcms.gov.uk/make-a-nomination/about-nominating/ to nominate a volunteer group for 2023.
