King’s Award for Voluntary Service for Queens Park Arts Centre in Aylesbury

Queens Park Arts Centre in Aylesbury have just been awarded The King’s Award for Voluntary Service. This is the highest award a local voluntary group can receive in the UK and is equivalent to an MBE. 

Every day, millions of people across the UK are making a difference by volunteering. Each year, outstanding examples of this work are celebrated through the King’s Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS). 

Created in 2002 to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee and previously known as The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS), the award has been shining a light on the fantastic work of voluntary groups from across the UK. Following his accession His Majesty The King emphasised his desire to continue the award. This is the first-year recipients will receive The King’s Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS).

 Equivalent to an MBE, KAVS is the highest award given to local voluntary groups in the UK, and they are awarded in perpetuity.

 Eight Buckinghamshire organisations have been announced as recipients of the 2023 award including:

• Brill Village Community Herd Ltd. conserving Brill Common to benefit both the environment and community through caring for cattle grazing on the common.
• Queens Park Arts Centre providing creative opportunities for people through a multi-disciplinary arts centre and theatre.

Volunteers at Queens Park Arts Centre (QPAC), one of the UK’s largest independent arts centres, are thrilled to receive recognition from King Charles, some of whom have been giving their time, skills and commitment to QPAC for over 30 years.  

‘We now have around 200 volunteers helping out in all areas of the Centre’s day-to-day operation, as well as facilitating the longer-term strategic operation. The breadth of their skills and experience, combined with their generosity of spirit is impressive, and very much appreciated. I’m so pleased that their contribution has been recognised by the KAVS.’ 

Sarah Lewis, Chief Executive of Queens Park Arts Centre.  

Queens Park Arts Centre has been continuously running for 43 years. Its mission statement is ‘arts for all’ – every year QPAC’s enables tens of thousands of people to engage in creative and cultural activities. From participatory weekly workshops, short courses and one-day classes, to live theatre, music and comedy; as well as special events, outreach projects, free-to-view exhibitions, there’s always something to inspire at QPAC. Run by Chief Executive Sarah Lewis, QPAC has fantastic facilities, as well as numerous studio, theatre and gallery spaces, it has an award-winning story telling theatre company, Unbound, as well as a residence dance and stage school, SDSD. 

QPACs volunteers help out in every area of the arts centre – from the Board of Directors, to tutoring workshops, front of house and backstage, painting the incredible sets for the annual pantomime, to working on the coffee bar, helping to promote the centre’s activities at Town Centre events through to setting up the studio spaces, acting, directing and taking photographs – there truly is something for everyone. Volunteers span the ages too – the youngest is just 14, the oldest – somewhat older!

 'QPAC is a warm and welcoming safe creative space' 

Julie Newman & Jo Tyrrell, Volunteers

 The benefits of volunteering are well known and numerous, such as making friends, developing support networks and sharing a passion for arts, crafts and theatre. QPAC also provides valuable work experience for volunteers, helping people to pursue worthwhile and valued pursuits, or to perhaps help to find paid work, or enhance CVs for future applications. QPAC’s volunteers cite benefits such as being able to give back, feeling part of a community, feeling valued and sharing skills and experience. QPAC always welcomes new volunteers to its community so if it’s something you may like to be a part of – do get in touch! 

 'QPAC is such a friendly place, everyone talks to everyone' 

Gill Brown, Volunteer

 Queens Park Arts Centre is one of 262 local charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive the prestigious award this year. Their work, along with others from across the UK, reminds us of all the ways fantastic volunteers are contributing to their local communities and working to make life better for those around them.

 The King’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 Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee and, following his accession, His Majesty The King emphasised his desire to continue the Award. Recipients are announced annually on 14th November, The King’s Birthday. 

 Representatives of Queens Park Arts Centre will receive the award crystal and certificate from Elizabeth Curzon, Lord-Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire later this summer. In addition, two volunteers from Queens Park Arts Centre will attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace in May and June 2024, along with other recipients of this year’s Award. 

 ‘Volunteers are the lifeblood of the Queens Park Arts Centre and I would like to add my congratulations on winning this award to all those dedicated people that make the organisation what it is. Well done everyone!’ 

Peter Cooper, Chair of QPAC’s Board of Directors