Two dedicated volunteer groups in Lanarkshire have been honoured with The King’s Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS), the highest recognition a local voluntary organisation can receive in the UK, equivalent to an MBE.
Lanarkshire Family History Society was founded in 1991, and is a volunteer led organisation providing a unique service preserving Lanarkshire’s heritage, helping people both at home and overseas to research their ancestry through records, archives and community education. Volunteers initially set up and continue to build and maintain an invaluable resource centre and well stocked library and from their website and telephone enquiries they deal with thousands of calls/enquires each year. The volunteers also produce their own ‘parish’ publications (266), produce a members magazine, give talks at churches, run workshops, organise family and local history fairs and provide expert guidance to members and visitors exploring family history.
The Ups and Downs Theatre Group has been connecting, supporting and empowering people with Down’s Syndrome and their families for 31 years They provide weekly inclusive activities including music, dance, and drama with the purpose of promoting self-expression and boosting confidence. Volunteers with relevant backgrounds and expertise offer tailoring activities to suit different skill levels enabling everyone to participate. Current members with Down’s Syndrome are aged between 5 to 38 , through activities , they connect , support and empower each other and form a larger and stronger family connection..
Both organisations will receive their award and certificate from Lady Susan Haughey CBE, Lord-Lieutenant of Lanarkshire, in the coming months, with two volunteers from each group invited to attend the Royal Garden Party at Holyroodhouse in July 2027.
Lady Haughey said: “I am absolutely delighted to see the amazing work of both The Lanarkshire Family History Society and The Ups and Downs Theatre Group recognised with The King’s Award for Voluntary Service. These groups make a fantastic difference to their communities, and this award is so richly deserved.”
Nominations for the 2027 King’s Award for Voluntary Service are now open until 1 December 2026. Anyone who knows of a local organisation doing exceptional voluntary work is encouraged to nominate them at https://kavs.dcms.gov.uk.
Notes to editors
- Lord-Lieutenants represent the monarch in each of the UK’s ceremonial counties.
- This year there are 250 recipients of The King’s Award Voluntary Service from across the UK and Channel Islands.( 23 from Scotland ) .
- More information on the recipients and the Award can be found at https://kavs.dcms.gov.uk/
- Full details on how to nominate are available at https://kavs.dcms.gov.uk/
- Nominations for the 2027 awards will close on the 1st December 2026.