CSV’s Retired and Senior Volunteers are to be honoured at Holyroodhouse this summer for the positive impact they have in communities around the Forth Valley.

They are to set to receive The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service for their outstanding contribution.

The Retired and Senior Volunteer Programme (RSVP) Forth Valley has received the Award for the time they give to schools, hospitals, walking groups, knitting groups and for making items for other charities and organisations, in addition to their handy persons project.

They were nominated by members of the public who have been helped personally or witnessed the benefits of a group’s work in their community.

The Retired and Senior Volunteer Programme will receive a certificate signed by The Queen and an exclusive commemorative crystal, presented by Her Majesty's representative in Stirling and Falkirk, Marjory McLachlan Lord Lieutenant at a special ceremony.

Speaking of their success, Stan Sanderson from RSVP Forth Valley said: “We are delighted to have received this prestigious honour for the work our volunteers do in a number of projects in the local community recognising the benefits the older volunteers give to the community.”

Alison Elliot, Chair of CSV’s Scottish Advisory Board, says “I’m thrilled that our volunteers have won this prestigious award. We need to celebrate more often the energy and initiative that older people bring to our communities and RSVP does just that. Well done!”

Lucy de Groot, Chief Executive for CSV, which is the umbrella charity for RSVP, says: “The award is a wonderful testament to the skills and experience that older people can bring in boosting learning and health opportunities for local people. It demonstrates that older people make a massive contribution to their local communities.  

“RSVP provides a structure which allows older people to develop local activities and services which are genuinely driven and managed by the volunteers themselves. RSVP Forth Valley is a great example of this model. It’s important that the enormous contribution of volunteers is properly recognised and the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service is an excellent way to do this.”

For more information about the Retired and Senior Volunteer Programme, please visit www.csv.org.uk/volunteering/retired-senior or call 020 7643 1385.

Further press information: Jason Tanner 020 7812 0038 / 07941 433598 or Francesca Toma on 020 7812 0037 / 079661 68686 or jtanner@csv.org.uk / ftoma@csv.org.uk

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Notes for editors

CSV (Community Service Volunteers) creates opportunities for people to take an active part in the life of their communities through volunteering, training and community action. Every year CSV helps transform the lives of over 1 million people. Last year 165,666 people gave their time as volunteers through CSV. The charity worked with 13,423 learners of all ages.  www.csv.org.uk

About the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service
In 2002, in celebration of Her Majesty’s Golden Jubilee, the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Award for Voluntary Service by Groups in the Community was established. Its purpose is to recognise groups of individuals who are giving their time freely for the benefit of others. It is the highest honour that can be bestowed upon groups of this kind and is equivalent in status to the MBE. As such, the Queen’s Award not only serves to provide recognition of volunteer groups, but also demonstrates the high respect in which volunteering is held.

The Award is overseen by the Office for Civil Society (OCS). As part of the Cabinet Office, OCS works across government departments to provide support to voluntary and community organisations and is responsible for delivery of the Big Society programme.

Groups must be nominated for the Award – self nomination is not permitted. A group (two or more people) can be nominated if it is based in the UK, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. The group has to have been volunteering for the benefit of people in the UK or overseas for at least three years and more than half its members must be volunteers who have the right of residence in the UK. Groups solely concerned with fundraising for charitable purposes are not eligible. Further details on entrance criteria and the nomination process are available from www.direct.gov.uk/qavs.