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

Date published: 3 June 2015

The Award recognises the outstanding contribution that volunteers make to their local communities. The volunteering activity carried out by this year’s winners ranges from health and social care to protecting and enhancing urban areas, rivers and countryside representing a cross section of Northern Ireland’s volunteering activity.

Minister said: “This has been an exceptional year for volunteering in Northern Ireland with 15 voluntary groups, the highest number ever, receiving a Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. All of these organisations must be extremely proud that their invaluable work has been recognised at the very highest level.

“The contribution that volunteers make in society cannot be underestimated. Volunteers give freely of their time, putting their local community at the heart of everything they do. I would like to offer my warmest congratulations to these organisations, and every other volunteering group, and hope that these awards inspire others to participate in volunteering. This week is Volunteers’ Week so let’s build on this tremendous achievement, volunteer now and ensure an even greater success for next year!”

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 2016 Awards, visit The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service.