Home-Start Basingstoke & Deane (formerly Home-Start North West Hampshire) has been awarded The King’s Award for Voluntary Service for 2024. This is the highest award a local voluntary group can receive in the UK and is equivalent to an MBE.

The Home-Start, who are also celebrating their 20 year anniversary, was nominated for the services they provide to families with young children in Hampshire. Their trained volunteers spend time with families in the family home and community to provide practical and emotional support to help reduce isolation and empower the family to give their children the best start. 

Home-Start Basingstoke & Deane’s Director of Operations, Jools Anderson,  said: “We are delighted and honoured to have been nominated and so pleased to be able to accept The Kings award for the difference our volunteers make in the community. This recognition is for all our volunteers, past, present and future, to remind them that they are appreciated for all the care and time they give to others.”

The King’s Award for Voluntary Service aims to recognise outstanding work by local volunteer groups to support their communities. It was created in 2002 to celebrate Her Majesty The late Queen’s Golden Jubilee and, was continued following the accession of His Majesty The King. 2024 marks these second year of The King’s Award for Voluntary Service. Recipients are announced annually on 14^th November, The King’s Birthday, Award winners this year are wonderfully diverse and include volunteer groups from across the UK.

Home-Start Basingstoke & Deane, join the 18 Home-Starts who have previously received either the Kings or Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.

Home-Start Basingstoke & Deane will receive the award crystal and certificate from Nigel Atkinson Esq, Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire later this year. In addition, two volunteers from Home-Start Basingstoke & Deane will attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace in May and June 2025, along with other recipients of this year’s Award.

In total, 281 local charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups received the prestigious award this year. Their 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.