Scouts receive HM The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Volunteering Award
In 2022, The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS) announced a special, new award to commemorate the late HM The Queen and her Platinum Jubilee. We’re incredibly proud to be one of 20 charities chosen for the award.
HM The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Volunteering Award celebrates the fantastic work done by national charities and their volunteers to give young people skills and opportunities.
For us, it recognises the difference our volunteers make to young people’s lives and the brilliant support Scouts gave communities throughout the pandemic. Our work was very much admired by the award’s judging panel, chaired by Sir Martyn Lewis CBE.
When considering the award recipients, the panel focused on the impact the charities had on young people aged 16–25, and how much they involved volunteers in their work.
His Majesty The King, Charles III personally approved the award as one of his first acts as Monarch.
Stepping up in a time of need
During the pandemic, Scouts stepped up to help their communities in a time of need. They delivered prescriptions to isolating residents, raised money for good causes, made visors, and taught online skills to the elderly.
Our Young Leaders across the UK delivered activity packs to the doorsteps of isolated families, distributed food parcels, supported food banks and helped staff vaccination centres. They showed friendship and gave emotional support to vulnerable members of their communities.
Our campaign, #CareForCareHomes, encouraged them to carry out 10,000 acts of kindness, with many sending letters, videos and drawings to residents.
Our CEO, Matt Hyde, said: ‘It’s a huge honour to receive the award. We’re incredibly proud of our volunteers’ work to support 16-25 year old with the skills, opportunities and encouragement they need to succeed. When things are tougher than ever for young people, we help them step up, speak up and look to the future with confidence and optimism. Thank you to every one of the volunteers who make this possible.’
Our Chief Scout, Bear Grylls, said: ‘This award shows how Scout volunteers make all the difference in their communities. Our 16–25-year-olds are our shining lights – inspiring us with their commitment, kindness and care for communities and their planet. Giving a little time as a volunteer to help as a Young Leader, driver, trustee, chair, treasurer, or simply doing the catering at Cub camp, will have a long-lasting, positive impact on young people’s lives and help them gain vital skills for life.’