Givan congratulates local winners of Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service

Minister for Communities Paul Givan MLA, has paid tribute to fourteen local organisations who have received the 2016 Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.

The Award recognises the outstanding contribution that volunteers make to their local communities. The volunteering activity carried out by this year’s winners range from helping vulnerable people on the streets of Belfast to promoting creative learning and writing in schools and all represent a wide cross section of Northern Ireland’s volunteering activity.

Minister Givan said: “This has been a great year for volunteering in Northern Ireland with 14 voluntary groups receiving the prestigious Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. The greatest asset we have are our people and communities and all of these organisations must be extremely proud that their valuable work has been recognised at the very highest level. 

“I would like to offer my warmest congratulations to these organisations, and to every other volunteering group.  I recognise the tremendous contribution that volunteers make, bringing communities together and creating active, vibrant and inclusive societies and I hope that these awards inspire others to participate in volunteering. 

The Minister concluded: “Given that this is Volunteers’ Week it is fitting that these organisations and the great work of their volunteers is recognised in this way.”

The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS) is the highest award given to local volunteer groups across the UK to recognise outstanding work done in their own communities. It was created in 2002 to celebrate the anniversary of the Queen's coronation and is regarded as the MBE equivalent for volunteer groups.

For details of all this year’s Award winners and information on how to nominate a group for the 2017 Awards.

Notes to editors: 

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