The King’s Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS) is the highest national honour given to local volunteer groups. Created to recognise outstanding contributions made by volunteers to their communities, it is often described as the MBE for voluntary organisations. Each year, groups from across the country are nominated, with successful recipients announced on His Majesty The King’s Birthday, 14 November.

This year, fifteen inspirational voluntary organisations from Berkshire have been nominated. To mark this achievement, the Lord-Lieutenant of Berkshire, Mr Andrew Try, welcomed representatives of each group to a special presentation ceremony. Certificates were presented to recognise their nomination and to celebrate the immense contribution these groups make across the county.

Speaking at the event, the Lord-Lieutenant expressed his gratitude for the dedication of Berkshire’s volunteers and the countless ways in which they enrich community life. He emphasised that every nominated group represents the very best of the county’s tradition of service and care for others.

Berkshire’s civic leaders, Deputy Lieutenants, and nominators joined the Lord-Lieutenant to congratulate the nominees and celebrate the breadth of their work – from supporting young people and families, to promoting wellbeing, inclusion, and community spirit

This year’s Berkshire nominees are:

• Ascot District Day Centre

• Berkshire MS Therapy Centre

• Berkshire Youth

• Faith Christian Group

• Home-Start Bracknell Forest

• Hungerford Youth & Community Centre

• Hurst Bowling Club

• Kaleidoscopic UK

• Power of Parenting

• Reading Hospital Broadcasting Service

• Sai Seva UK

• The Royal County of Berkshire Army Cadet Force

• Windsor Old People’s Welfare Association

• Wokingham In Need

• Youthline

Each of these groups is already making a significant difference in the communities they serve. The Lieutenancy is proud to recognise their achievements and wish them well in the final stages of the KAVS process.