In 2022, The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS) announced a special, new award to commemorate the late HM The Queen and her Platinum Jubilee. We’re incredibly proud to be one of 20 charities chosen for the award.
HM The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Volunteering Award celebrates the fantastic work done by national charities and their volunteers to give young people skills and opportunities.
For us, it recognises the difference our volunteers make to young people’s lives and the brilliant support Scouts gave communities throughout the pandemic. Our work was very much admired by the award’s judging panel, chaired by Sir Martyn Lewis CBE.
When considering the award recipients, the panel focused on the impact the charities had on young people aged 16–25, and how much they involved volunteers in their work.
His Majesty The King, Charles III personally approved the award as one of his first acts as Monarch.
This award comes on top us being named of Charity of the Year (with an income of more than £10 million) in the Charity Times Awards 2022. They are both a stunning achievement for the whole movement and us here in West Yorkshire and two of the most prestigious awards we have ever won.
Bear Grylls, Chief Scout and TV Personality said:
‘This award shows how Scout volunteers make all the difference in their communities. Our 16–25-year-olds are our shining lights – inspiring us with their commitment, kindness and care for communities and their planet. Giving a little time as a volunteer to help as a Young Leader, driver, trustee, chair, treasurer, or simply doing the catering at Cub camp, will have a long-lasting, positive impact on young people’s lives and help them gain vital skills for life.’
Toby Hammond, West Yorkshire Scouts Youth County Commissioner said:
‘It is always a pleasure to our amazing volunteer being recognized for all the hard work they put into young people learning skills for life. I would like to thank each one of them for all they do here in West Yorkshire’