Six Surrey volunteer groups nominated for 2020 Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service

 (The Surrey judging panel for the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service - Image credit: Andy Newbold)

Volunteers from six Surrey groups, who dedicate their valuable time and experience to help individuals and communities across our county, have been nominated for the prestigious 2020 Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS).

The QAVS is the equivalent of an MBE, and is the highest national honour given to UK volunteers.

Over 50 representatives from those voluntary groups received an official ‘Thank You’ from HM Lord-Lieutenant of Surrey, Michael More-Molyneux, at a reception on Tuesday February 4 at The Tithe Barn, Loseley Park, Guildford.

Congratulating them all on having reached the nomination stage, the Lord-Lieutenant said: “It is my earnest hope that your commitment and tireless work for the benefit of others in our local communities will be honoured with an award in June this year.

“Without the work of charities and voluntary groups like yours, many communities in Surrey would be poorer and our ability to meet local need with care and compassion would be so much less. So the contribution you make is ever more important.

“This celebration of the wonderful work you do is uplifting, inspiring and humbling. We are so grateful for all that you contribute to the welfare of other people in Surrey.” 

The Lord-Lieutenant also thanked Surrey County Council for its sponsorship of the reception and the council’s chairman, Cllr Tony Samuels was present, along with representatives from almost all of Surrey’s 11 boroughs and districts.

The event highlighted the outstanding contribution made by volunteers of all ages, ethnicity and diversity across local communities.

This year, the nominated volunteer groups are: the Riverside Arts Centre, who foster and promote the development of the arts in Spelthorne; Claygate Recreation Ground Trust, who provide safe, high quality recreational facilities for all ages; Chiddingfold Bonfire Association, whose villagers ensure community cohesion by raising funds to support local vulnerable people throughout the year; Sport Godalming, a group that supports sports organisations and encourages development and participation for the benefit of the local community; the award-winning Tice’s Meadow Nature Reserve near Farnham, where volunteers’ efforts provide a haven for wildlife and help residents of all ages and backgrounds to connect with nature; and Walton Firs Foundation, a holistic activity and outdoor education centre benefitting often ‘at risk’ and disabled young people, and built on inclusivity and service to others.

The Surrey nominees for 2020 represent five of the Queen’s Award categories: arts; environment and regeneration; social centre/community; sport; youth/ playscheme.

If any of these six Surrey groups receive the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in 2020, it will be announced publicly on June 2, 2020 and any successful groups will be invited to send two representatives to a Royal Garden Party this summer.

The award itself – a domed crystal and a certificate signed by the Queen – will be presented to each winning group later in the year by Surrey’s Lord-Lieutenant or a Deputy Lieutenant, on behalf of HM The Queen.

Representatives from each of the groups were photographed with the Lord-Lieutenant at the Loseley reception, together with the Vice Lord-Lieutenant, Bill Biddell.

Bill chaired Surrey’s QAVS Local Assessment Panel for the past four years that he has been Vice Lord-Lieutenant, a role that he handed over to Sir Stephen Lamport following the QAVS reception.

The Surrey panel is made-up of experienced assessors and an editor, who visited every nominated group between October and December 2019, before sending their findings to the National Award Committee.

Bill Biddell recognised the outstanding work of those at the Loseley reception, saying to them: “Your drive and professionalism show us what can be achieved by well-organised and committed volunteers, and the difference you all make for the benefit of others.”

Nominate dedicated volunteers for 2020

Surrey residents across the county are encouraged to nominate groups of deserving volunteers for the Queen’s Awards for Voluntary Service 2021. Nominations open online in April 2020 and nominators have until September 2020 to submit. Full details of how to proceed and a nomination form are available online at: https://qavs.culture.gov.uk