Dear all,

I write to share some fantastic news.

Today ( 2nd June) the Cabinet Office, on behalf of Her Majesty will be announcing the award of the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS) to Nottinghamshire County Scout Council. This is ranked as an MBE and is the highest award in the UK that can be made, by Her Majesty, to a voluntary organisation. This is a tremendous achievement of which we can all be immensely proud. There is an incredibly high standard to meet and follows a long nomination and assessment process both locally and nationally. Also what an accolade it is being awarded as part of the Platinum Jubilee Celebrations.

The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service aims to recognise outstanding work by local volunteer groups to benefit their communities. It was created in 2002 to celebrate The Queen’s Golden Jubilee. Recipients are announced each year on 2nd June, the anniversary of The Queen’s Coronation.

I am sorry I could not let you know earlier but we were bound by a strict embargo.

The assessment had to prove how we do things differently compared to other Scout charities. We are not told why we got the award but the assessors seemed especially impressed by not only the usual weekly activities you all offer young people but also the wider work in the County. This focused on the Sherwood Charity Shop which raises money to fund the training of adult volunteers and provides a vital service to local residents. Then our remarkable water activity centre at Hoveringham which ensures Scouts right across Nottinghamshire can experience adventurous activities on their doorstep. They noted the provision of subsidised meals to the elderly & vulnerable in the City. Finally they liked that we are one of only two charities that are able to put on a full weeks run at the Nottingham Theatre Royal, a fast moving variety show we all know as “Gang Show” next performing in March 2023 (audition information is now out).

We are starting to work through the benefits for us. However I am delighted to let you know that all full adult members & associate members will be able to wear the QAVS award enamel badge. These will be provided and funded by the County, so that you can wear with pride this special recognition emblem. More information will follow.

This is a great time for us all and gives a huge thank you to everyone across the County who give young people remarkable opportunities and have done so despite a global pandemic.

Thank you so much for making this possible and please have a very happy Jubilee,

Regards

Steven