Recipients of the 2025 King's Award for Voluntary Service
The awardees of the King’s Award for Voluntary Service 2025 (KAVS) have been announced in a special supplement of The Gazette. We take a closer look at four of this year’s volunteer groups.
What is The King’s Award for Voluntary Service?
The King's Award for Voluntary Service (previously Queen's Award for Voluntary Service) is the highest award given to UK volunteer groups, being equivalent to the MBE. The prestigious award recognises exceptional work done by volunteer groups in their communities.
Recipients of The King’s Award for Voluntary Service receive a certificate signed by the King and a domed glass crystal. Up to two representatives from the group may also be invited to attend a royal garden party.
Who were awarded The King’s Award for Voluntary Service in 2025?
A total of 231 charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups from across the UK were awarded The King’s Award for Voluntary Service in 2025. See the full list of recipients below.
We take a closer look at four of this year’s recipients of The King’s Award for Voluntary Service:
Discovery Planet CIC (Kent, England)
Founded by three women in Kent in 2014, Discovery Planet CIC operate from a former optician’s shop and aim to bring inspirational science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) experiences to the heart of disadvantaged communities, including Primary School aged children.
Discovery Planet HQ is ‘a bright, welcoming, and inspiring space for the whole community’ where interactive workshops are delivered and events take place that make STEM accessible to all, including those with special needs. These workshops cover how science translates to their lives and helps them discover career opportunities in this field.
Grow Uddingston (Lanarkshire, Scotland)
Working tirelessly to improve the local environment for the benefit of the community of Uddingston in Scotland, Grow Uddingston was founded over 25 years ago. The group works to preserve the environment, taking over responsibility previously provided by the council, reducing pressure on their budget.
Providing work experience for teenagers and young people, Grow Uddingston focuses on the likes of litter picking, landscape and graffiti, and tubs and planters. They were also one of the first groups to take part in adopting a station scheme in 2025 and have since worked to plant and maintain multiple tubs and hanging baskets on a busy train platform.
Valley Veterans (Mid Glamorgan, Wales)
Valley Veterans supports veterans, the Forces Community and families across the Rhondda Valley, many of whom struggle with alcohol abuse, anxiety and PTSD. Beneficiaries range from young children in armed forces families to veterans aged 90 years old.
This group helps to tackle loneliness and isolation, providing mental and physical support to beneficiaries. Activities include equine therapy, horticultural activities and breakfast clubs. The group also helps with benefits advocacy and assistance in mental and physical health clinics.
Safe Anchor Trust Ltd (West Yorkshire, England)
Safe Anchor Trust aim to provide enjoyable, safe and therapeutic boat trips for those in the community of West Yorkshire who are disadvantaged through physical or mental disabilities, social isolation, age or social deprivation.
The group’s trained volunteer crews use specially adapted boats to provide the opportunity to beneficiaries to steer the boat and help with working the locks. They also work alongside the Canal and River Trust to improve the canal-side environment and infrastructure.
See also
The King’s Award for Voluntary Service 2025
The King’s Award for Voluntary Service
The King’s Awards for Enterprise
Find out more
The King’s Award for Voluntary Service (GOV.UK)
Images
Valley Veterans
Discovery Planet CIC
Grow Uddingston
Valley Veterans
Safe Anchor Trust Ltd
Publication updated
14 November 2025
Any opinion expressed in this article is that of the author and the author alone, and does not necessarily represent that of The Gazette.