AWARDS

The King's Award for Voluntary Service is the highest award given to volunteer groups across the UK for outstanding work done in their local communities.

Over the years some of Dumfries and Galloway's voluntary groups have been winners of this prestigious award which was formerly The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service. Among them are D&G Bloodbikes, the D&G Befriending Project and D&G LGBTPlus.

In the Dumfries Lieutenancy, smaller groups like the Castle Loch Lochmaben Community Trust and Sports Driving Unlimited in Boreland are among those who have also been recognised for their voluntary work.

In the Stewartry, Lochside Theatre (The Fullarton), Castle Douglas, Dalbeattie Museum and Kirkcudbright Summer Festivities have been recognised.

In Wigtownshire, the groups honoured have come from various sectors such as health, sport and community groups like the The Furniture Project (Stranraer) and the Port William Community Association.

Any group of two or more people doing volunteering work that is a social, economic or environmental service to the local community could receive the award. In order to be nominated, volunteer groups should do work that: provides activities and meets a need for people living in the local community; is supported, recognised and respected by the local community and the people who benefit from it; has developed and is run locally.

Volunteer groups should have a record of doing work in the local community.

Forms, Guidance and Information

The Nomination Forms have to be completed online and are available from the Kings Award for Voluntary Service website.

Guidance notes are also only available online.

The Kings's Awards for Enterprise

The King's Awards for Enterprise are highly prestigious awards for outstanding achievement by UK business in the categories of Innovation, International Trade and Sustainable Development. The Kings's Awards for Enterprise Promotion is awarded to individuals who encourage entrepreneurial skills and attitudes in others.

The awards are made annually by His Majesty The King and are only given for the highest levels of excellence. They are judged to a demanding level and winners receive a number of benefits and worldwide recognition.

Here in Dumfries and Galloway, local businesses received an Award when it was The Queen's Awards for Enterprise.

In 2021 Gretna Green Ltd, a Scottish family business, gained the award for outstanding growth in international sales over the past few years.

In 2022, Bladnoch Distillery gained the award for International Trade and Outstanding Short-Term Growth in Overseas Sales.

Previous corporate winners have come from a diverse selection of business sectors and have included large and small businesses. Recipients of the individual award have been from varied social and professional backgrounds.

The closing date for entries is the last working day of September each year and the winners are announced on 21 April the following year.

For more information, including the links to the online application and nomination forms visit the King's Awards website.