Warwick Volunteers, a student-led organisation at the University of Warwick, has been awarded The King’s Award for Voluntary Service for 2024.

This prestigious honour, equivalent to an MBE, is the highest award a local voluntary group can receive in the UK, recognising exceptional community service.

In the past year, 926 students from Warwick Volunteers dedicated over 13,200 hours to 135 projects, making significant contributions to communities across the region. Their dedication has created lasting impact in projects such as youth support, homelessness relief, and conservation initiatives.

Modhurima Islam, Student President of Warwick Volunteers said, “Our hardworking and dedicated volunteers are shining examples of the benefits that volunteering brings to both the community and the volunteers. We are continually inspired by their unwavering commitment, energy, and enthusiasm. It brings us great joy that their remarkable contributions have been recognised with this honour.”

Student volunteers also shared their perspectives on how Warwick Volunteers has shaped their university experience.

Domini, an undergraduate student in Biomedical Sciences said, “Warwick Volunteers allowed me to grow from a volunteer to a student leader, helping me develop invaluable skills that will surely be useful in my future.

“Through the past three years, I have gained many friends through volunteering, and seeing the change we can bring to both the community and our fellow students has been extremely rewarding.”

Sophie, an undergraduate in Statistics agreed saying, “Through my time at Warwick Volunteers, I have been able to give back to local communities, whilst developing myself as a volunteer, person, and student. Volunteering is at the core of being human and is an important part of acquiring skills vital for everyday life.”

Warwick Volunteers connects students with organisations across Coventry and Warwickshire, including CV Life, Canley Community Centre, Memory Lane Café, and Coventry and Warwickshire Mind.

Mr Rupert Hedley, Volunteer Coordinator, CV Life (Herbert Art Gallery and Coventry Transport Museum) said, “I have been working regularly with Warwick Volunteers for over 12 years. They have regularly provided our organisation with reliable and motivated student volunteers throughout that period. 

“Our learning team and galleries have been the main beneficiaries of this on-going support which enhances what we offer to our visitors considerably.  Many Warwick student volunteers travel quite some distance to help and are generally motivated, enthusiastic and reliable. 

“I have also found all of the Warwick Volunteers staff I have been in contact with over the years friendly, helpful and responsive to the needs of our organisation. So I am not all that surprised that both the team and the students from Warwick have been given this impressive recognition.”

Anna-Marie Corbett, Canley Community Centre Manager said, “Warwick Volunteers are a real asset to Canley and all surrounding communities. They provide an amazing service to us all. Bringing the diverse range of students into the community has brought joy to us all. Learning new skills and tradition from far and wide has brought the whole community/student population together in a truly magical way”

Warwick Volunteers will receive the official crystal and certificate from Timothy Cox, Lord-Lieutenant of Warwickshire, at a ceremony early next year. And two representatives will be invited to a garden party at Buckingham Palace in May and June 2025, joining other awardees to celebrate their achievements.

Warwick Volunteers is one of 280 other charities, social enterprises, and volunteer groups across the UK to be receiving The King’s Award for Voluntary Service in 2024. This year’s awardees reflect the rich diversity of volunteerism across the UK, with initiatives that support mental health for veterans, preserve historical sites, teach English to refugees, and foster arts engagement for individuals with learning disabilities.

The King’s Award for Voluntary Service was introduced in 2002 to celebrate Her Majesty The late Queen’s Golden Jubilee and has continued under His Majesty The King’s leadership, now in its second year as The King’s Award.

ENDS

For further information, please contact:

Kat Beauchamp, Communications Officer

Katherine.beauchamp@warwick.ac.uk I 07880 175 408