Compassion Acts, a volunteer-led charity based in Southport, has been awarded The King’s Award for Voluntary Service for 2026.
This is the highest award a local voluntary group can receive in the UK and is equivalent to an MBE.
Compassion Acts is one of 250 local charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive 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.
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 Late Majesty The Queen’s Golden Jubilee and was continued following the Accession of His Majesty The King. 2026 marks the third year of The King’s Award for Voluntary Service.
Recipients are announced annually on 14th November.
The award winners this year are wonderfully diverse and include volunteer groups from across the UK, such as Reuben’s Retreat, a group supporting families after the loss of a child and families of children with shorter life expectancy in Greater Manchester; a group providing palliative care in Dyfed, Wales; and a group improving wellbeing in a rural community through plant and bake sales in Perth and Kinross.
Compassion Acts has grown from its roots as an emergency foodbank into an all-round poverty reduction and wellbeing charity. There are 250 volunteers working in 20 projects across the Southport area.
Representatives of Compassion Acts will receive the award crystal and certificate from Mr Peter Oliver OBE Lord-Lieutenant of Merseyside in the coming months.
In addition, two volunteers from Compassion Acts will attend a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace in May or June 2027, along with other recipients of this year’s Award.
Compassion Acts Chief Executive, Richard Owens said:
“This is a huge honour. I am so proud for all of our volunteers as it is a prestigious recognition of their efforts.”
Chair of Trustees at Compassion Acts, Dr Dympna Edwards said:
“The Trustees and I are profoundly honoured that Compassion Acts has received the King’s Award for Voluntary Service. The recognition belongs to our volunteers, whose compassion,
commitment and generosity have touched countless lives across our communities.
“Every act of kindness, every hour given and every person supported has contributed to this achievement.”
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