It has been announced today that leading children’s rights charity NYAS (National Youth Advocacy Service) has been awarded The Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Volunteering Award, a one-off commendation to mark the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and 20 years of the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS).
What is it?
The Jubilee Award, which is the first of its kind, has been given to 20 national charities that work to empower young people aged between 16 and 25.
Each year, the QAVS award is given to over 250 outstanding volunteer groups across the UK, but this year the Jubilee Award has been created and given to just a handful of deserving charities. The award showcases the charities and volunteers who have shown exceptional efforts in supporting and empowering young people across the country.
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The Application
Led by Paula Baker, National Volunteer Service Manager at NYAS, the application for the award was placed in May. NYAS, who work tirelessly to ensure the voices of children and young people across England and Wales, rely on the generosity of volunteers to help deliver vital services to young people and children.
Paula said: "At NYAS, we have over 600 fantastic volunteers who support and encourage care experienced children and young people. Many within the care system have insufficient support networks, and at NYAS, we believe every child and young person should have at least one consistent, loving adult in their lives. It is vitally important for them to have someone who has their best interests at the forefront of what they do, and this is what our volunteers offer.
"We are so grateful to the incredible individuals who give up their time to support care experienced children and young adults. Our volunteers are enthusiastic and dedicated to the services we provide. I nominated NYAS for the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Volunteering Award to show appreciation for our wonderful volunteers and the work they do."
Applications closed in June and were judged by an expert panel led by Sir Martyn Lewis CBE. Among the panel were two youth representatives and voluntary sector experts from each UK nation.
The panel focused on the scale and impact of the charity and the work they carry out with young people aged 16-25, as well as the extent to which volunteers are involved in delivering these services. His Majesty The King personally approved the awardees following selection by the panel.
I am honoured that NYAS has received The Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Volunteering Award. For over 40 years, we have been delivering services to support and empower vulnerable children and adults to have their voices heard when key decisions are being made about their future.
Rita Waters, NYAS Group CEO
This award recognises our incredible volunteers and the key role they play in helping children and young people. We look forward to 2023, where we will continue our work to ensure every child and young person is fully respected, represented and supported in expressing their views and having their rights upheld.
A celebration event will be held in 2023, where NYAS and the other award winners will be presented with a handwritten certificate from The King. Representatives from each charity will also be invited to a Royal Garden Party to mark the occasion in the spring.
Take a look at our recent award wins!
