Scout Groups honoured with King’s Award for Voluntary Service

The King’s Award for Voluntary Service is the highest possible award for voluntary groups and is the equivalent of an MBE. This year, only 281 organisations received the award, including our two Scout Groups. 

Celebrating 40 years of Scouts

St George’s Mill Hill Scouts’ award coincides with the group’s 40th anniversary. Formed in December 1984, today the group currently provides opportunities for more than 80 young people from the local area, supported by 19 adult volunteers.

It also recognises the hard work and dedication of the group’s volunteers at their Canalside Activity and Environment Centre - Blackburn. This provides activities such as kayaking, archery and backwoods skills to the whole community. In the last 12 months, over 6,000 people from across the local community have used the centre.

Stuart Parker is Group Lead Volunteer at St George’s Mill Hill: ‘I’m absolutely delighted that our group’s work has been recognised in this way - as volunteers, there’s no higher honour than the King’s Award for Voluntary Service. It’s a real testament to the hard work and commitment of our team, who dedicate so much of their free time with energy and passion for improving the lives of young people.’ 

‘I’m a founder member of the group. I joined as a Venture Scout so it’s a life’s work for me. As it’s our 40th anniversary, we’re planning a whole year of celebrations, including a reception with the Lord Lieutenant in January. Our young people understand it’s a very prestigious award. 

While not the biggest group, we’ve done a lot of additional things. We’ve spent 15 years fundraising for children in Romania and have arranged for lorryloads of supplies to be sent over. We’re also very proud of our activity centre – which is spread across three acres. The area we’re based in isn’t well-off, and we were finding it too expensive to go elsewhere for activities. Our centre means we can now provide opportunities for our young people, other Scout Groups as well as the wider community.’

Helping other people

Catherine Ashcroft is the Group Lead Volunteer at 4th Crosby and District (St William of York). ‘Scouting takes you on an incredible journey,’ she says, ‘where amazing adults dedicate their free time to create opportunities for young people to shine.

‘It is an absolute privilege to lead this group of volunteers who have been awarded The King’s Award for Voluntary Service. This award recognises the contribution of the leaders and adults working with their local community to provide a diverse range of opportunities for young people to develop skills for life while enjoying the adventures.’

In the true spirit of Scouts, the two groups have sent each other messages of congratulations, and have agreed to meet in the not-too-distant future.

Congratulations from the Chief Scout

Chief Scout, Dwayne Fields sent his own well wishes too: ‘Huge congratulations to both 4th Crosby and District and St George’s Mill Hill Scouts on receiving the King’s Award for Voluntary Service. This is recognition of the fantastic work you do supporting our young people. You’re a credit to the whole Scout movement and we couldn’t be more proud of you and all you’ve achieved.’

More about the award

The King’s Award for Voluntary Service aims to recognise outstanding work by local volunteer groups to support their communities. It was created in 2002 to celebrate Her Majesty The late Queen’s Golden Jubilee and, was continued following the accession of His Majesty The King. 2024 marks the second year of The King’s Award for Voluntary Service. Recipients are announced annually on 14 November, The King’s Birthday.

Nominations are now open for the King’s Award for Voluntary Service 2025.