The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service is now accepting nominations for the 2023 awards until 15th September, and the Mayor of Hailsham is encouraging people to submit nominations for local volunteers and groups which actively run services to help change lives in the community.
The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS) was set up 20 years ago to recognise and celebrate exceptional local volunteer groups across the UK and is the highest award of its kind.
“My time in the post of mayor since May 2019 has confirmed my belief that Hailsham has a “great community spirit,” said Town Mayor and Chairman of Hailsham Town Council, Cllr Paul Holbrook. “The community and voluntary sector play a significant role within Hailsham, fulfilling a broad range of requirements for the local community. The benefits that come from a having such a vibrant community of volunteers creates a number of positives for the town by providing services to those in need, volunteering for those who need to develop their life skills, as well as providing the means for people to get involved in their community.”
“Do you know a group working for the benefit of the Hailsham community, which has committed an outstanding act of community service and who can be considered a worthy recipient of the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service? The award is to celebrate those people working tirelessly amongst us, in recognition of outstanding service, in this case to the people of Hailsham.”
Cllr Holbrook added: “I am continually impressed with the work in the town by volunteers who help run local not-for-profit organisations and charities and, having recognised and supported such organisations in the past wherever I can, I am certain that there are many unsung heroes who do so much for the community – and who should be rewarded.”
“I am calling on the people across town to put forward nominations for the award and want you to provide information on someone in the community who achieves great things or has gone above and beyond what is expected of them to make things happen. Your help would be much appreciated.”
To be nominated, a group must:
Full eligibility criteria and guidance can be found at https://qavs.dcms.gov.uk/make-a-nomination/eligibility/.
Awarded groups get a certificate signed by the Queen and a domed glass crystal. Up to two representatives from the group may also be invited to attend a royal garden party.
You can nominate a group for the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service online: https://qavs.dcms.gov.uk/make-a-nomination/about-nominating/. Nominees are considered for an award the year after they’re nominated, and you must be independent of the group you’re nominating.
When you nominate a group, you also need letters from two people who support your nomination and are independent from the group you’re nominating (e.g. someone who benefits from the group’s work or someone who’s aware of the group’s work. The letters must include details about how the group helps the local community and how you know the group.
Terry Hall, Communications Officer
Hailsham Town Council, Market Street, Hailsham, East Sussex, BN27 2AE
Telephone: 01323 841702 | Email: terry.hall@hailsham-tc.gov.uk