Four outstanding voluntary groups in Leicestershire have been honoured with The King’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK.
The recipients of the award – which holds the same value as an MBE and acknowledges the remarkable efforts of volunteer groups in their communities – were announced on 14 November – the King’s birthday.
Each of the four groups was nominated by the public of Leicester and Leicestershire. The winning recipients will each be visited by the Lord-Lieutenant of Leicestershire, Mr Mike Kapur OBE CStJ, who will hold individual ceremonies to present them with their King’s Award.
This year’s recipients are:
- Asfordby Amateurs Ladies, Girls and Inclusive Football Club, based in Melton. The club provides a welcoming and safe environment for all abilities and ages to develop their skills through football, setting their community up for future success. They provide further opportunities for development beyond joining the team such as coaching, being a referee, and taking part in leadership courses. They also support the Melton Schools League, providing opportunities for hundreds of young people to participate in football.
- Bright Hope in North West Leicestershire, based in Swannington. The charity is committed to serving the community by providing a range of free and accessible support including: adult social care, counselling, wellbeing support services, and a community café in a purpose-built day centre. Bright Hope provide opportunities for beneficiaries to create friendships and take part in social and creative activities.
- Heather Scarecrow Festival is a week-long annual scarecrow festival. The festival is open to residents, businesses, and schools in Heather to raise funds to support local groups that serve the village. The festival provides creative activities, social cohesion, and financial support to the local community.
- Shama Women’s Centre, an organisation based in Leicester, have been recognised for the work they do in supporting women to gain independence through education, training, counselling, and peer support. They provide opportunities for women from all backgrounds to create friendships, develop new skills, and find employment.
As Lord-Lieutenant, I visit a large number of community organisations in Leicester and Leicestershire, and I never cease to be amazed at the quality and range of services and support these groups are providing within their local communities and beyond.
Although diverse in their nature, what is a common feature is that these organisations rely so much on the voluntary efforts of those people who work tirelessly for the benefit of others.
I am delighted that so many of Leicestershire’s wonderful voluntary groups have received the recognition they deserve. The awards are a fitting tribute to their compassion, dedication, and selflessness in helping others.
Mike Kapur OBEPerson:Mike Kapur OBE CStJ, Lord-Lieutenant of Leicestershire
Leicestershire’s winners are among 231 charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups from across the UK and Channel Islands to receive the prestigious award this year. The number of nominations remains high year on year, showing that the voluntary sector is thriving and full of innovative ideas to make life better for those around them.
The King’s Award for Voluntary Service aims to recognise outstanding work by volunteer groups to benefit their local communities and is are equivalent to an MBE for voluntary groups. Formerly, these awards were known as the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. Recipients are announced each year on 14 November, the King’s Birthday.
More information on the recipients and the Award, as well as details on how to nominate a group or organisation, can be found at on the King's Award for Voluntary Service website.
Nominations for the 2026 awards are open until 1 December. Submissions for the following year’s awards will reopen in September 2026.