We're a winner of The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service

We're thrilled to have been named as a winner of the prestigious Queen's Award for Voluntary Service.

This is the highest national award presented to local volunteer groups across the UK and is the equivalent of the MBE.  It's presented to exceptional groups that are volunteer-led and whose levels of initiative and impact make a significant difference to beneficiaries in their communities. Created in 2002 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of HM The Queen's Coronation, the list of winners is published on 2nd June each year. 

With a proud tradition of supporting adults and young people to volunteer, we have more than 100 volunteers engaged as trustees, patrons, crew members and leaders. They are invaluable in supporting the delivery of activities, such as such as camping, climbing, caving, archery and bushcraft, as well as maintaining our facilities and equipment. Since opening in 2008, the volunteers have supported us in helping 250,000 young people to develop new skills and abilities within the natural environment.

Izzy Devonshire, age 17, explained what she had gained from being a Walton Firs volunteer:

"Volunteering at Walton Firs has taught me valuable skills. It has helped me stay connected with my friends since finishing school. It's helped me develop team working skills and brought me and my friends closer together."

All award nominees were subject to an appraisal of their volunteering policies and practices by the Surrey Lieutenancy local assessment panel, whose reports were forwarded to the National Award Committee. This national committee subsequently made its own independent recommendations to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, which sent a final list of award recipients to the Queen for her approval.

Our youth support programmes, which see us work with vulnerable and 'at risk' young people to develop their social and vocational skills though mentored work experience placements, were, in part, key to us receiving the award.

Rob Woolford, Chairman of the Walton Firs Foundation, said:

"On behalf of Walton Firs Foundation, I'm delighted our organisation has been chosen to receive The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service. We have a long-standing commitment to deliver high quality volunteering opportunities, and we're all thrilled our tradition of supporting young people to develop the skills and knowledge required to become happy and successful adults has been recognised.

"As with many charitable organisations, the present difficulties arising from the COVID-19 pandemic is giving the Activity Centre some financial difficulties, with enforced closure at a time which would normally provide a substantial proportion of the annual income. Sadly, this lockdown also means our volunteer service teams and corporate sponsored work teams are not able to help with their volunteer days. Every little counts and we are hoping to find a few generous sponsors to help us through these difficult times."

Chris Scott, Centre Manager, added:

"Receiving The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service is a tribute to the many hundreds of people who have given their time as volunteers to the activity centre over the past twelve years.  I have to say a big thank you to every one of our past and present crew members and leaders for their inputs to Walton Firs!" 

We will be formally presented with The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service by the Lord-Lieutenant of Surrey during a commemorative event at a future date where we will invite all past and present volunteers to join us to celebrate.

For further information about becoming a Walton Firs sponsor, please contact Christopher Scott on  01932 863243. Alternatively, donations can be made by via our Facebook page