The King’s Award for Voluntary Service

As part of Volunteers’ Week, we’re raising awareness of the King’s Award for Voluntary Service , which celebrates the outstanding work of volunteer groups across the UK.

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 all across the UK for many years.

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

MK Recipients of the QAVS Award

Wolverton Secret Garden Society MK

Love in Action MK Ltd

MK Food bank

Milton Keynes Islamic Arts & Culture Organisation

Milton Keynes Museum Volunteers

Old Bath House and Community Centre – Wolverton

The Stablemates MK – (Stables Theatre)

Bosom Pals MK

Marshall Milton Keynes Athletic Club

Olney Rugby Football Club MK

MK Snap

Cowper and Newton Museum Volunteers

The Brooklands Centre, Milton Keynes

DREAMSAI

Milton Keynes Centre for Integrated Living

Nominations for the 2024 award opened on the 1st June 2023, with the full timeline of the awards process found here. Nominations close on the 15 September.

If you’d like to nominate any of the fantastic volunteer-involving organisations from across the city, you can find all the details here!

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Volunteering at MK Museum, Wolverton

Milton Keynes Museum is a hands-on day out, dedicated to the history of MK. The museum has a thriving volunteer community, and they’re looking to expand this team:

MK Museum Volunteer Roles

Reception and Shop Team

Giving a warm welcome to our visitors, serving them on admissions and retail and keeping the museum shop stocked are just some of the tasks of our team of reception and shop volunteers.

This front of house role is for you if you’re outgoing, communicative, have an eye for detail, are happy to use a till and handle cash.

Catering Team

Our Granary Tea Room is known for its incredible homemade cakes and is a key element of our visitor’s experience, with volunteers serving the counter and taking food and drinks orders.

This front of house role is for you if you are approachable, hands on, communicative and are happy to use a till and handle cash.

Education Team

Helping to educate over 4,000 students a year is a rewarding task, and the Education team brings the past centuries back to life for children.

This front of house role is for you if you are approachable, know a thing or two about our local history and enjoying working with children and young people. No past teaching experience required!

Visitor Guide

Our friendly Visitor Guides provide accessible information for individual visitors and interpret our collection to pro-vide an all-around excellent visitor experience.

This front of house role is for you if you are interested in historic artefacts, have great interpersonal skills and are a good communicator.

Maintenance Team

There are always jobs to be done to care for the Museum, its buildings and artefacts – whether you’re a skilled crafts-person or good at DIY, you can help the museum with various projects.

This back of house role is for you if you are a hands-on team player, have some experience or interest in a craft/trade and are physically fit.

Events Team

Something all of our year-round events have in common are our Event volunteers who are in charge of planning, running and stewarding.

This front of house role is for you if you are a people person who is able to multitask and doesn’t mind working outdoors.

Contact Email           volunteer@mkmuseum.org.uk

Contact Number      01908 316 222

Contact Name          Mirjam Rundel

Postcode                    MK12 5EL (Milton Keynes Museum)

Link                             https://miltonkeynesmuseum.org.uk/support-us/volunteer/

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FoodCycle Launching in Fishermead 8 June, could you help by volunteering?

FoodCycle connect communities through free meals and great conversation. Harnessing volunteer power, they utilise food surplus to create warm meals in welcoming spaces. After successfully establishing FoodCycle lunches in Wolverton, they are launching on the 8 June in Fishermead MK6 2SP Thursdays at 7.00pm, and they’re in need of volunteers!

Taster Session

On the 25th May FoodCycle will be hosting a practise run in Fishermead, where people can join them to help cook, host or just come and join us for the meal. They ask that everyone who intends on coming registers for an account.

To register for an account please visit https://volunteer.foodcycle.org.uk/volunteer-sign-up

In order to sign up to a slot, you just need to:

• Click on ‘Start FoodCycling’ at the top of your volunteer account

• Select East Anglia on the map

• Click on ‘volunteer with FoodCycle Milton Keynes Fishermead’

• Find the right date/role and click ‘sign up’.

You will then receive an automatic email confirmation with all the information you need ahead of the session.

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Volunteer Marshalls Needed for Charity Bike Ride

The Tour De Vale is taking place across Buckinghamshire on Sunday 11 June, and they’re looking for Volunteer Marshalls to help out on the day. The fundraising event is organised by WheelPower, who provide opportunities for disabled people to get into sport and lead active lives.

Volunteers will be asked to commit 2-3 hours of their time, in a Bucks location. High Vis and a packed lunch will be provided, and you’ll be cheering on riders cycling 25km, 75km or 110km.

If you’d like to find out more, please email eve.helyer@wheelpower.org.uk

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Could you be a Technology volunteer for BucksVision?

Digital Technology Volunteer

Technology can make life easier if you have hearing or sight problems, but knowing where to start is not always easy, this is where BucksVision need your help.

BucksVision offer 1-2-1 and group support to blind and partially sighted people to demonstrate how products, such as tablets and smartphones can help. 

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Willen Hospice are in search of a new trustee

Are you looking for an opportunity to support an MK-based charity? Willen Hospice, a charity which provides specialist end of life care to adult patients and support for their families, are looking to add a new member to their Board. Becoming a trustee can be a great way to enhance your CV, build networks, and make a difference in your community.

Read Willen Hospice’s guest blog for more on their rewarding voluntary role:

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Supporting Cancer Research Events in MK

Milton Keynes Race For Life and Pretty Muddy are taking place this Summer at Willen Lake on 10th and 11th June!

Race for Life events attract large audiences and are vital for Cancer Research UK to continue funding their scientists’ research. Could you volunteer your time to help ensure these uplifting gatherings run smoothly?


“We need more people to help run our events. Come on your own, join in with a friend, or bring your whole family. Everyone is welcome, and we guarantee you’ll end the day smiling
 
Imagine a sports ground with no cheering. It’s the same at a Race for Life without volunteers. We’re looking for enthusiastic and friendly people to bring the magic to over 400 events. Can you help us?
 
Please use this link to search for your local event.

 
We look forward to seeing you on an event site soon!”

The Roles Available:

Start Volunteer

Our start volunteers are instrumental in helping the participants get to the start line. Your role involves helping with the start process including ensuring participants are lining up correctly, moving through to the start at the correct time, and cheering them on as they go through the start gantry. You may also help with set up on the day depending on when you would like to arrive.

Finish Volunteer

Our finish volunteers are the first people our participants see as they cross that finish line. You will greet them with a medal and pat them on the back for a job well done. You can also help with setting up this area including getting the goodies ready to hand out, and packing everything away at the end.

Please note the above roles may be mixed meaning you could start on the start then go over to the finish and help with setting up both areas.

Course Marshal

Our course marshal role includes cheering on and encouraging the participants along the course, handing out refreshments, checking in with the team if issues arise and supporting the event whilst on the course

Obstacle Marshals

Our obstacle marshal role includes cheering on and encouraging participants and most importantly – getting them muddy! You’ll also be on hand to let us know if there are any issues at obstacles so our obstacle manager can come and sort it quickly.

Sign up here!

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