Herts Welcomes Refugees receives the King's Award for Voluntary Service

The King's Award for Voluntary Service

We are delighted to announce today, the King’s birthday, that Herts Welcomes Refugees has been awarded The King’s Award for Voluntary Service for 2025.  This is the highest award a local voluntary group can receive in the UK and is equivalent to an MBE.   

Our volunteer-led charity welcomes and supports refugees and asylum seekers in Hertfordshire. Our team of over 160 dedicated volunteers provide practical support to help them connect with their communities and adjust to life in the UK.  We rely on the commitment of its volunteers to meet the diverse needs of those arriving in the community. 

Our Chair Irene Austin said "I am delighted that our volunteers’ work has been recognised.  We are incredibly grateful to all our volunteers who work tirelessly across the county and go the extra mile to help people who have fled because of trauma, persecution and wars.   We want to thank all our volunteers and members for their hard work and dedication.” 
 
Volunteer Beth said "Volunteering with Herts Welcomes Refugees lets you get involved with your local community whilst also welcoming others." 

Volunteer Steph said "Volunteering with HWR is a very moving and rewarding experience. I'm really glad that I can be a small part of something so impactful and important."   

Herts Welcomes Refugees is one of 231 local charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive the prestigious award this year. Our 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 Birthday. Award winners this year are wonderfully diverse and include volunteer groups from across the UK. 

The King’s Award for Voluntary Service recognises outstanding work by local volunteer groups to support their communities. It was created in 2002 to celebrate Her Late Majesty The Queen’s Golden Jubilee and was continued following the accession of His Majesty The King. 2025 marks the third year of The King’s Award for Voluntary Service.  

Representatives of Herts Welcomes Refugees will receive the award crystal and certificate from Robert Voss CBE CStJ, His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Hertfordshire and our Patron, in the coming months.  

In addition, two volunteers from the charity are invited to attend a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace next year, along with other recipients of this year’s award.  
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We would like to thank you all for your support, particularly our wonderful volunteers, who made this award possible.