Three Island groups win The King’s Award for Voluntary Service

Three groups of Island volunteers have been honoured with The King’s Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS) — the highest award that a voluntary group can receive in the UK and is the equivalent of an individual being awarded an MBE. 

The Apollo Theatre Players have been recognised for their service to culture and the arts. Having purchased their nineteenth-century Methodist chapel in 1969, they rescued it from demolition and reconfigured it as a theatre. 

Over the last 50 years they have put on more than 350 plays with an annual footfall of about 4000; there is a strong emphasis on inclusion in all areas and an active youth group. There are 220 members who act, build the set, maintain the listed building advertise the plays, run the bar and sell the ice creams.

Brading Community Partnership has been recognised for their service to young people and the community. The volunteer team of 62 people, based in the Youth and Community Centre, run busy youth provisions for some 190 young people registered with two youth clubs, Duke of Edinburgh Award Groups and non-contact boxing club.

Vegetable growing schemes, outdoor pursuits on their Meadow and Holiday Clubs each summer also benefit further children. The Community Café opens twice weekly and supports a dozen adult groups and initiatives for the wider community.

West Wight Dementia-Friendly Choir has been recognised for their service to mental health and wellbeing. 

The choir supports those with dementia and their carers, through music, singing and friendship. They have achieved wide recognition across the Island with their outreach programme, involving schools, public education, concerts and fundraising. The choir has inspired others to set up a second dementia choir in Parklands, Cowes, and a further choir begins at All Saints’ Church Ryde in the New Year.

The Island winners are among only 232 charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive the award this year. 

The King’s Award for Voluntary Service aims to recognise outstanding work by volunteer groups to benefit their local communities. Representatives of our winning groups will receive their awards later this year from Susie Sheldon, His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of the Isle of Wight; and two volunteers from each group will attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace in May or June 2026. 

The Lord-Lieutenant commented: "I am delighted that the fantastic work of our volunteers has been recognised, and I am grateful for their tireless efforts to benefit the lives of others.  The high number of awards won on the Island year by year, underlines our community’s commitment to serve others."

PHOTO: Celebrating their awards are, left to right: Ginnie Orrey and Steve Reading of the Apollo Theatre Players, Kate Benson and Ginny Byrne from Brading Community Partnership, Pam Wedgwood and Cathy Hepburn representing the West Wight Dementia-Friendly Choir.