The King's Award for Voluntary Service
The Queens's Award, now known as the King's Award, for Voluntary Service is the highest award given to local volunteer groups across the UK to recognise outstanding work done in their own communities. It was created in 2002 to celebrate the anniversary of The Queen's coronation. It is the MBE for volunteer groups. Any group doing volunteer work that provides a social, economic or environmental service to the local community can be nominated for the award. Each group is assessed by the Lieutenancy on the benefit it brings to the local community and its standing within that community.
In 2023 Warwickshire had six winners of the award.
VIEW Queens Award for Voluntary Services 2012-2022
VIEW Kings Award for Voluntary Service 2023-2025
The Lord-Lieutenant, Tim Cox, presented a King's Award for Voluntary Service to the Charity Talk Dementia on the 21st April 2026.
Paul and Heather Dowler met when their partners suffered with dementia and sadly then passed away and they now have 5 Dementia Cafes.
The event was held at the Shipston Lodge Care Home in Shipston on Stour where they hold weekly cafes for dementia sufferers but also their carers.
Compassionate Kenilworth - a Kenilworth based organisation - was presented with a King's Award for Voluntary Service on the 17th April 2026 by the Lord-Lieutenant Tim Cox. The charity was formed in 2019 to tackle isolation and provide practical advice and emotional support to families in the area.
On the 31st May 2025 Kineton Sports & Social Club was presented with a King's Award for Voluntary Service. The Club is committed to encouraging Sports participation in the area and social events. The Award recognises the Club's volunteers who organise the sporting activities, fundraising events and social events that enhance the lives of the residents of Kineton and the surrounding villages.
Presenting the award on 22nd May 2025 to Hope 4 at Rugby, the Lord-Lieutenant of Warwickshire, Mr Tim Cox, said "I am so delighted that Hope4 has been awarded the King’s Award for Voluntary Service. The volunteers truly deserve this honour, and it has given me great pleasure to represent His Majesty today at this wonderful occasion. I know that Rugby has a very strong volunteering culture, and Hope4 embodies all that is good about caring, compassionate, individuals who wish to use their lives to serve others in the community. Volunteering is not only about what you give but also what you receive, and I have heard today how richly rewarding it is and just what an impact this charity is having on so many. Congratulations to all."
On the 16th April 2024 the Lord-Lieutenant, Tim Cox, presented the Graham Fulford Charitable Trust with its Kings Award for Voluntary Service at the Judges' House in Warwick. The charity promotes awareness of Prostate Cancer and encourages early diagnosis.
Photo: The Lord-Lieutenant, Tim Cox; Sue Hart of the GF Trust; the High Sheriff, Raji Gill and Chris Kettle Chairman of WCC.
On 10th April 2024, Members of the Veterans Contact Point received their King's Award for Voluntary Service from Tim Cox, Lord-Lieutenant of Warwickshire. Veterans Contact Point is a military charity supporting veterans based in Nuneaton. The charity provides peer support, befriending schemes and welfare support to anyone who has served in the UK Armed Forces and who lives in the Coventry and Warwickshire area.
On Wednesday 6th March 2024, Tim Cox officially presented Fay McSorley, Chairperson at Rugby Autism Network, with the charity’s King’s Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS) 2023. The charity received this award for its support to parents and carers of young autistic people in Rugby, enabling families to enjoy quality time together by having access to autism-friendly events, bespoke days out, learning materials, workshops, and social support. It is the highest award a local voluntary group can receive in the UK and is equivalent to an MBE.
Lianne Kirkman, who set up Helping Hands Community Project to offer support to those struggling with the causes and effects of homelessness and trauma, was presented with the Kings Award for Voluntary Service by the Lord Lieutenant Tim Cox.
The presentation was at their offices in Leamington Spa on Friday 26th January with over 30 volunteers and included the Trustees of the Charity and Clare Sawdon, David Kelham, and Mark Davies who are Deputy Lieutenants for Warwickshire and Sophie Hilleary, this years High Sheriff of Warwickshire.
Kings Award for Voluntary Services presented to Julie de Bastion who set up Own Books 10 years ago to help children to have their own books at home. Presentation took place at The Judges House in Warwick on Wednesday 17th January 2024.
Kings Award for Voluntary Services presented to Warwickshire Search and Rescue at their new Headquarters building at Stoneleigh near Kenilworth on Saturday 6th January 2024.