Nominations for The King’s Award for Voluntary Service 2026 are now officially open as of Monday 1 September 2025.

This prestigious honour is the highest award given to voluntary organisations across the UK, and is considered the equivalent of an MBE for volunteer groups. It recognises outstanding work carried out by local volunteer-led groups that benefit their communities.

Who Can Be Nominated?

To be eligible, nominated groups must meet the following criteria:

• Consist of three or more people
• Be based in the UK, Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man
• Have been in operation for at least three years
• Have over half of its volunteers eligible to reside in the UK
• Be volunteer-led, with more than half of its members being volunteers
• Provide a specific and direct benefit to the local community

Celebrate Local Excellence

Note: Winning groups for 2025 will be announced on 14 November 2025.

How to Nominate

• Nominations are free
• You must not be part of the group you’re nominating
• All nominations are submitted online via the official website: The King’s Award for Voluntary Service – dcms.gov.uk

Deadline for nominations: Monday 1 December 2025

Let’s celebrate the power of volunteering and shine a light on the groups making a real difference in our communities.