The King’s Award for Voluntary Service: Six Cornwall Groups Honoured on Royal Birthday

In a proud moment for Cornwall, six exceptional voluntary groups have been awarded The King’s Award for Voluntary Service, the UK’s highest accolade for local volunteer organisations. The announcement, made today, 14th November, The King’s Birthday, marks a record-breaking year for Cornwall, with the largest number of awards received by the county in over a decade.

Cornwall’s Exceptional Award Winners

The six honoured groups have demonstrated remarkable commitment to their communities, earning national recognition. This year’s awardees from Cornwall include:

• Operation Encompass (Saltash)
• Young Generation Theatre (Falmouth)
• Walker Lines Gymnasium Trust (Bodmin)
• Holywell Bay Surf Lifesaving Club (Newquay)
• Squires Field Community Centre (Fowey)
• Wadebridge Foodbank & Storehouse (Wadebridge)

These groups are among 281 recipients of The King’s Award for Voluntary Service across the UK and Channel Islands. For a full map of this year’s award winners, click here to explore an interactive map showcasing all recognised groups.

Recognising Excellence in Volunteering

Established in 2002 to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee, The King’s Award for Voluntary Service acknowledges extraordinary local volunteer efforts. Following his accession, His Majesty The King has expressed a desire to continue the award to showcase and celebrate the impact of community groups nationwide. The award honours groups that are truly outstanding, led by volunteers rather than paid staff, and that exemplify high standards of service.

Colonel Sir Edward Bolitho KCVO OBE, Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall, shared his pride in Cornwall’s recipients, saying, “I am delighted and proud to see six of Cornwall’s finest voluntary groups recognised with these awards. The King’s Award for Voluntary Service is the highest accolade any voluntary group can receive, given to those local voluntary groups that are truly outstanding and which break new ground at a local and sometimes national level.”

He further added, “Cornwall’s voluntary sector delivers invaluable support to our communities, selflessly, compassionately, and with huge energy, reaching out to everyone in need. These six winners reflect the tremendous range and reach of the sector and this national recognition is hugely well deserved. My congratulations and thanks to our six exceptional winners; I salute you all!”

What’s Next for the Winners

Representatives from each of the honoured groups will receive a crystal award and certificate from Edward Bolitho in the coming months. Additionally, two volunteers from each group will have the privilege of attending a garden party at Buckingham Palace next year, joining other award recipients from across the UK.

Those inspired to recognise other impactful groups can submit nominations for the 2026 King’s Award for Voluntary Service, opening on 1st September 2025. More information on the award and its criteria is available here.

This recognition underscores the vital role of volunteers in Cornwall and across the UK, as they continue to shape and support communities with their dedication and hard work.

Walker Lines Gymnasium 

Walker Lines Gymnasium with The Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall, Colonel Sir Edward Bolitho KCVO OBE.  As announced on HM The King’s Birthday, Walker Lines Gymnasium in Bodmin has been awarded The King’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK

Young Generation Theatre

Young Generation Theatre with The Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall, Colonel Sir Edward Bolitho KCVO OBE.  As announced on HM The King’s Birthday, Young Generation Theatre in Falmouth has been awarded The King’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK

Squires Field Community Centre

Squires Field Community Centre with The Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall, Colonel Sir Edward Bolitho KCVO OBE.  As announced on HM The King’s Birthday, Squires Field Community Centre in Fowey has been awarded The King’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK

Holywell Bay Surf Lifesaving Club

Holywell Bay Surf Lifesaving Club with The Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall, Colonel Sir Edward Bolitho KCVO OBE.  As announced on HM The King’s Birthday, Holywell Bay Surf Lifesaving Club in Newquay has been awarded The King’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK

Operation Encompass

Operation Encompass with The Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall, Colonel Sir Edward Bolitho KCVO OBE.  As announced on HM The King’s Birthday, Operation Encompass in Saltash has been awarded The King’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK

Wadebridge Foodbank & Storehouse

Wadebridge Foodbank & Storehouse with The Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall, Colonel Sir Edward Bolitho KCVO OBE.  As announced on HM The King’s Birthday, Wadebridge Foodbank & Storehouse has been awarded The King’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK