What is the Queen's Award for Voluntary service
Every day, millions of people across the UK are making a difference by volunteering. Each year, outstanding examples of this work are celebrated through the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS).
Created in 2002 to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee, The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS), has been shining a light on the fantastic work of voluntary groups from all across the UK for many years. Since 2023 an equivalent - The King's Award for Voluntary Service has been conferred.
Equivalent to an MBE, QAVS is the highest award given to local voluntary groups in the UK, and they are awarded for life.
Northumbria Blood Bikes received the QAVS in 2017
Carol Malia, then the Deputy Lieutenant for Northumberland, Broadcaster and Patron of the charity, said: “Northumbria Blood Bikes are a dedicated team of tightly knit volunteers working professionally together. Their service has already saved many lives. The bikers and drivers undergo extensive training, all in their own time, and are supported by an efficient network of other volunteers all devoting themselves to supporting emergency health care. I have personal reason to thank NBB. My friend’s son went into cardiac arrest after undiagnosed internal bleeding. At the age of 14 they found themselves at his bedside praying for his survival. He needed blood and quickly. It was a Northumbria Blood Bike that delivered the consignment which ultimately meant that Matthew has made a complete recovery.”
Who can get the QAVS and how is it awarded?
The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service recognises:
- Groups that are truly outstanding and making a big difference to their local community.
- Groups where volunteers, rather than paid staff, are in the driving seat.
- Groups that have highest standards in everything they do.
QAVS awards are intended for groups that are led by volunteers and provide a benefit for local communities.
To be eligible a group must be made up of three or more people, be based in the UK and have been in operation for at least three years before nomination. In addition it must be led by volunteers, not by paid staff and over half its members should be volunteers.
To be awarded the QAVS the group first has to be nominated by a member of the public who has a good knowledge of the group’s work and is able to supply separate letters of support from two additional people..
Eligible groups are then assessed initially by their local lieutenancy and then by the national assessor. The assessment includes a deep dive into the group's processes and procedures alongside interviews with the volunteers able to demonstrate that its work provides significant benefits to the local community.
The awardees are announced nationally and the QAVS crystal and certificate is presented shortly afterwards by the local Lord-Lieutenant.
Patron of Northumbria Bikes Professor Bob Jarman, Consultant in Emergency Medicine, said: “I was over the moon when I heard that Northumbria Blood Bikes (NBB) had been awarded The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, which is the highest award given to volunteer groups across the UK. This is a well deserved national endorsement for the professional service that dedicated NBB volunteers deliver daily. This is for everyone that contributes to making NBB a regional treasure!”
A Bit of a Do
Every year the Lord Lieutenant of Northumberland holds a garden party to celebrate the carers and volunteers in Northumberland. In 2017 the garden party was held at the Alnwick Gardens and a delegation from Northumbria Blood Bikes was invited to attend.
It was at the garden party that we received the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service from the the Queen's representative the Duchess of Northumberland - Jane Percy.
In addition one couple were invited to a Garden Party at Buckingham Palace to celebrate the Award.
Heidi Mottram OBE, CEO Northumbrian Water and Patron of Northumbria Blood Bikes, said: “I'm delighted at the news that Northumbria Blood Bikes is to receive the honour of the 'Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service'. This award recognises the dedication and hard work of a group of volunteers working very much 'behind the scenes' to provide vital support and service to our NHS at times when it needs it the most. The vital work that Northumbria Blood Bikes volunteers perform, help save lives every day and I am very proud to be one of its Patrons.”
We even made the TV news
Michael Thompson, Volunteer, and Chair of the group at the time, said “Northumbria Blood Bikes are absolutely thrilled to receive the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, it is the highest accolade a local charity like ours can receive. The award recognises the value of the service we provide and it rewards the professionalism and dedication of all of our volunteers who freely give up their spare time to help others who they will probably never meet.”