Lieutenancy area

This map shows the lieutenancy county boundaries of Aberdeenshire, Banffshire and Kincardineshire. Each county has its own Lord-Lieutenant. Aberdeenshire is represented by Alexander Philip Manson, Banffshire by Mr Andrew Simpson and Kincardineshire by Mr Alastair Macphie. Aberdeen City is represented by The Lord Provost Mr David Cameron.

Queen's Award for Voluntary Service

The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service is the highest award given to volunteer groups across the UK.

Any group of 2 or more people doing volunteering work can be nominated for the award. The majority of the group must be volunteers, and more than half the volunteers must have the right to live in the UK.

To be nominated they should do work that:

  • provides a service 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
  • is run locally

Volunteer groups should have been running for 3 years or more to be nominated.

Winners get a certificate signed by the Queen and a domed glass crystal. Representatives from the group may also be invited to attend a royal garden party.

Local assessment panels look at all the nominations and decide which ones to send to the National Award Committee.

The committee makes recommendations to the Cabinet Office, which sends a final list to the Queen for her approval.

Winners are announced on June 2 every year.

How to make a nomination

You can nominate a group for the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service online.

You don’t have to be part of the group and you can make your nomination at any time. Read the notes if you need help.

When you nominate a group you also need letters from 2 people who support your nomination and are independent from the group you’re nominating - for example:

  • someone who benefits from the group’s work
  • someone who’s aware of the group’s work

The letters must include:

  • how the group helps the local community
  • how you know the group

Submit your nomination by 30 September to make sure your group is considered for an award the year after you nominate them.