Call to nominate local groups for 2011 Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service

The Lord-Lieutenant of Wiltshire, Mr. John Bush, today called on the county to nominate outstanding local voluntary groups for the 2011 Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the MBE for volunteer groups.

Nominations for the 2011 award should be received by September 30th, therefore those who know of the great work or indeed have benefited from a voluntary group’s hard work should nominate now. Successful groups will be announced on June 2nd 2011.

Further information can be obtained and forms can be downloaded by visiting www.direct.gov.uk/thequeensawardforvoluntaryservice or by calling 020 7781 2397 to request a hard copy.

John Bush said, “Voluntary groups in Wiltshire and Swindon continue to play a pivotal role in the community, and many individuals’ lives. Recognising their influence is vital and I want Wiltshire to express their gratitude to these groups by nominating as many as possible for The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the MBE for volunteer groups and highest honour in the voluntary sector.

In June this year, the Swindon Down’s Syndrome Group received the 2010 award and was among the hundreds of nominations by friends, family and members of the public made from across the UK.

Around 850 groups from across the UK, including ten from Wiltshire, have now received The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service since it was created by Her Majesty to mark the occasion of her Golden Jubilee in 2002. Groups from different backgrounds providing extremely diverse activities have all felt the award’s benefits, which include attracting more volunteers, increased awareness of the group to potential funders and of course helping to raise morale amongst existing volunteers.