Big Leaf Foundation Wins King’s Award for Voluntary Service

Published on: 28 Nov, 2024
Updated on: 28 Nov, 2024

A Surrey-based charity, the Big Leaf Foundation, has received the Kings Award for Voluntary Service for their work supporting displaced young people, 16 to 25.

A spokesperson for the charity said their volunteers donated over 4,000 hours during the past two years, providing a nurturing programme of activities focusing on combating social isolation and improving the well-being of young people.

Young people at a Big Leaf Foundation event

Running on an income of around £300k per year, the Big Leaf Foundation is now in its sixth year and has gone from supporting 20 young people a year to almost 300 says the annual review. Their services include helping with youth hubs, language skills, evictions, drawn-out age disputes, increased criminalisation, and lack of access to housing solutions.

The Kings Award for Voluntary Service is the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK and is said to be the equivalent of an MBE. It was created in 2002 to celebrate the late Queen’s Golden Jubilee and was continued following the accession of the King in 2022. Recipients are announced annually on 14th November, the King’s Birthday.

A reception for nominee groups was held at Loseley Park on July 12 2024. Photo by Andy Newbold/NewBold Pr & Media.

Representatives of Big Leaf Foundation will receive the award crystal and certificate from Lord More-Molyneux, Lieutenant of Surrey this summer. In addition, two volunteers will attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace in May and June 2025.

You can nominate groups for the award by visiting The King’s Award for Voluntary Service website.