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# Nominations open for King's Award honouring Suffolk volunteers
- URL: https://www.ipswich.co.uk/nominations-open-for-kings-award-honouring-suffolk-volunteers/
- Published: 2026-09-02T07:26:11.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-02T07:26:11.000Z
- Description: Suffolk residents are being encouraged to nominate local volunteer groups for The King's Award for Voluntary Service, the UK's top honour for voluntary organisations.
- Author: Nicola Sebastian
- Tags: News, Mark Pendlington, Lord-Lieutenant of Suffolk, Community Impact

**Why it matters:** The King's Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS) is the highest award given to local volunteer groups in the UK, often described as the equivalent of an MBE for voluntary organisations. Successful groups receive a certificate signed by His Majesty The King and an invitation to a Royal Garden Party.

**The details:** Nominations for the 2027 awards opened on Tuesday, 1 September 2026, and will remain open until 1 December. Groups cannot nominate themselves – nominations must be made by someone independent of the organisation.

**What they're saying:** Mark Pendlington, Lord-Lieutenant of Suffolk, said: "One thing has already become abundantly clear to me: Suffolk would simply not be the county it is without our thousands of charities and army of willing volunteers."

"Every day, across our towns, villages and communities, volunteers quietly, without fuss, make a difference. They run sports clubs and youth groups, support older people, help preserve our heritage, protect our environment, raise funds for local causes and provide practical support to those facing challenging circumstances."

"The King's Award for Voluntary Service gives us a wonderful opportunity to recognise those groups that go above and beyond for their communities. Suffolk has a strong and proud record of success, but I am certain there are many more groups across our wonderful county deserving of national recognition."

**For context:** Previous recipients within Suffolk include Ipswich Outreach, Let's Talk Reading, Still Good Food, Tattingstone Good Neighbour Scheme and the Caribbean and African Community Health Support Forum. 

Across the county, past winners have supported literacy, tackled food poverty, helped homeless people, and promoted health and wellbeing.

**What's next:** The Suffolk Lieutenancy Office is offering free guidance throughout the nomination process, including help completing the online nomination form. 

Anyone wanting to submit a nomination, or seeking advice before doing so, can contact the Suffolk Lieutenancy Office by emailing [lieutenancyoffice@suffolk.gov.uk](mailto:lieutenancyoffice@suffolk.gov.uk).

**The bottom line:** With nominations open until December, the Lord-Lieutenant is calling on Suffolk residents to help ensure the county's community heroes get the national recognition he believes they deserve.

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