The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service is the highest award given to local volunteer groups across the UK to recognise outstanding work done in their own communities. It was first awarded in 2003 to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of The Queen's coronation. It is the MBE for volunteer groups.

Any group doing volunteer work that provides a social, economic or environmental service to the local community can be nominated for the award. Each group is assessed on the benefit it brings to the local community and its standing within that community.

Watch the short video below to find out more about the QAVS from Sir Martyn Lewis, CBE.