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The Office for Civil Society (OCS) in the Cabinet Office is calling on communities across the North East to nominate outstanding local voluntary groups for next year’s Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the MBE for volunteer groups.
In June this year, two outstanding groups in the North East received the 2010 Award from the 341 nominations made from across the UK after being nominated by friends, family, beneficiaries or members of the public.
Nominations for the 2011 Award should be received by 30th September 2010 therefore those who know of the great work or indeed have benefited from a voluntary group’s hard work in the North East should nominate now. Successful groups will be announced on 2nd June 2011.
Further information and nomination forms can be found by visiting www.direct.gov.uk/thequeensawardforvoluntaryservice or by calling 020 7781 2397.
The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, Main Award Committee Chair and former broadcast journalist Martyn Lewis CBE said,
“There are millions of people volunteering or involved with charity work across the UK and it’s those we are calling on to make nominations for their region. The voluntary sector is playing an even bigger part in our lives and is a vital contributor to today’s society so it’s only right that voluntary groups giving freely of their time should be recognised at the highest level.
“The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service is the top voluntary sector honour and has proven invaluable to previous winners who have gained increased awareness of their work and experienced a boost in support from the area. I’m therefore urging the public to nominate as many great voluntary groups for the 2011 award, particularly from youth projects, black and minority ethnic groups and rural community organisations.”
Established in celebration of Her Majesty’s Golden Jubilee to recognise outstanding local community voluntary groups, the Award has now recognised more than 850 groups. Groups from many different backgrounds undertaking a range of diverse activities have felt the Award’s benefits which include - attracting more volunteers, increased awareness of the group to potential funders and of course helping to raise morale amongst existing volunteers.
Minister for Civil Society, Nick Hurd, said:
“The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service is a great way of recognising the outstanding contribution volunteers make on a daily basis. Volunteering is vital to the Big Society and all over the country local people give time and energy to make positive changes in their community.
“I encourage everyone in the North East to think about the people in their community who have made a real difference, and nominate their group for an award in recognition of what they do.”
This year’s winners from the North East can be found by visiting the List of 2010 Winners, while case studies can be found in the Case Studies Section.
For details of all The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service winners or to download a nomination form in pdf, visit www.direct.gov.uk/thequeensawardforvoluntaryservice.
