Cornwall’s voluntary groups celebrated

A record number of 17 Cornish voluntary groups have been nominated for a 2026 King’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award given to local voluntary groups in the UK.   The nominated groups were all recently recognised at a presentation and reception at County Hall, hosted by the Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall, Colonel Sir Edward Bolitho KCVO OBE and Cornwall Council Chairman Cllr. Rob Nolan.

Bugle Library of Things, Community & Hospital Broadcasting Network, Georgia’s Voice, Man Down CIC, Neighbours Together, Par Bay Community Trust, Parky Blinders ProjectA piece of work that delivers an output. CIC, PL12, Plant One Cornwall CIC, South Kerrier Alliance CIC, St Dennis Band, The Cornish Maritime Trust, The Great War Memorial Hall (Mawnan Smith), The Island Haven, The Pearl Exchange, The Peninsula Trust and The Sparkle Foundation have all been nominated.  Assessments have been completed locally by a team of Deputy Lieutenants and submitted for consideration by the national panelA group of people who review grant applications and decide which will receive funding..  The award recipients will be announced on 14 November, the birthday of HM The King.

“Cornwall has a strong heritage of volunteering, with over a third of people giving volunteer time, well above the national average,” explains Colonel Sir Edward Bolitho.

“The King’s Award for Voluntary Service celebrates groups that are truly outstanding and make a tangible difference to their local community.  So it is a very proud moment to see so many of Cornwall’s brilliant voluntary groups nominated. Huge congratulations to all groups.”

In the meantime, nominations for the 2027 King’s Awards for Voluntary Service opened on 1 September and close on 1 December 2026.

Equivalent to an MBE, The King’s Award for Voluntary Service is awarded for life. Originally created in 2002 to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee and previously known as The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the Award has been shining a light on the work of voluntary groups from across the UK for many years.

The simple nomination process requires the completion of a straightforward online form from someone independent of the group, together with letters of support from two other individuals.

“We are looking for groups where volunteers, rather than paid staff, are in the driving seat and they collectively work to the highest standards to deliver true impact,” continues Colonel Sir Edward Bolitho. “It is wonderful to see so many nominated this year and I am sure there are still many excellent and deserving voluntary Cornish organisations that have yet to be nominated for this prestigious King’s Award. Please get nominating!”

All the information for nominators is available online at kavs.dcms.gov.uk/make-a-nomination/about-nominating/