Ten Cornish Voluntary Groups Nominated for 2025 King’s Award

An outstanding line-up of ten Cornish voluntary groups have been nominated for the 2025 King’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award given to local voluntary groups in the UK.

The nominated groups were recently recognised at a reception at County Hall, hosted by the Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall, Colonel Sir Edward Bolitho KCVO OBE, and Cornwall Council Chairman Cllr. Rob Nolan.

Who’s Been Nominated?

The following groups have been put forward for the award:

• Active8 Youth Disability

• Camborne Trevithick Day CIC

• Cornwall Pride

• Fathoms Free

• Growing Links CIC

• KBSK Performing Arts CIC

• Lighthouse Community Centre

• Torpoint Archives & Heritage Centre

• West Cornwall Search & Rescue

• Kernow Library of Things CIC

Assessments have already been completed and the award recipients will be announced on 14th November, the birthday of HM The King.

Celebrating Cornwall’s Strong Volunteering Spirit

Colonel Sir Edward Bolitho said:
“Cornwall has a strong heritage of volunteering, with an estimated 32% of the county volunteering, well above the national average. The King’s Award for Voluntary Service celebrates groups that are truly outstanding and make a tangible difference to their local community. So it is a very proud moment to see so many of Cornwall’s brilliant voluntary groups nominated. Huge congratulations to all groups.”

He added:
“We are looking for groups where volunteers, rather than paid staff, are in the driving seat and they collectively work to the highest standards to deliver true impact. It is wonderful to see so many nominated this year and I am sure there are still many excellent and deserving voluntary Cornish organisations that have yet to be nominated for this prestigious King’s Award. Please get nominating!”

Looking Ahead to 2026

Nominations for the 2026 King’s Awards for Voluntary Service opened on 1st September and will close on 1st December 2025.

Equivalent to an MBE, the King’s Award for Voluntary Service is awarded for life. Originally created in 2002 to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee and previously known as The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the award has been recognising voluntary groups across the UK for over 20 years.

The nomination process is simple, requiring an online form and two letters of support. Further details can be found at kavs.dcms.gov.uk/make-a-nomination/about-nominating/.

Who Can Be Nominated?

To be eligible, groups must:

• be made up of three or more people

• be based in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man

• have been in operation for at least three years before nomination

• have over half its volunteers eligible to reside in the UK

• be led by volunteers, not paid staff

• provide a direct benefit to the local community

Groups cannot be nominated if they have already received a King’s Award (or Queen’s Award previously), if their main focus is fundraising or grant making, or if they operate solely for the benefit of animals unless their work has wider community impact.