We are thrilled to announce that Exmoor Young Voices have been awarded The King’s Award for Voluntary Service for 2024. This is the highest award a local voluntary group can receive in the UK and is equivalent to an MBE.

Exmoor Young Voices is one of 281 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 Majesty The late Queen’s Golden Jubilee and was continued following the accession of His Majesty The King. 2024 marks the second year of The King’s Award for Voluntary Service.

Representatives of Exmoor Young Voices will receive the award crystal and certificate from Mr Mohammed Saddiq, Lord-Lieutenant of Somerset. In addition, two volunteers from Exmoor Young Voices will attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace next year, along with other recipients of this year’s Award. 

“It is such an honour for Exmoor Young Voices to receive this award from the King and great for a small charity on Exmoor to get recognition on a national stage.
The young people of Exmoor have always been at the forefront of all that we do. Often the many adversities faced by young people have been overlooked but with great support from volunteers, advisers and partnering organisations, we are working to make it possible for young people to stay living and working on Exmoor.
We would like to thank all of the supporters, advisers and partnering organisations who have supported us and enabled us to continue helping young people on the moor and ensure their voices are heard. We must also thank each and every young person who has shared their story with us, come to our meetings, spoken at our summits and given up their time, knowledge and experiences with the view of making positive changes for themselves and others.
This award is not just for us but for all the volunteers and everybody who has helped at any stage. To the many who have so generously given up their time, to ensure that the charity can continue, we are eternally thankful and grateful for everybody’s efforts. It is truly testament to their hard work that we have received this award. Their efforts have and will continue to enable young people to be able to call Exmoor home and will continue to show it is possible for young people to not only survive but thrive on Exmoor."

William Lock, chair of Exmoor Young Voices
“It is wonderful to have 12 years of patient and persistent voluntary effort recognised by the King. Exmoor Young Voices will now forge ahead supporting young rural workers and families to bring about the vital changes needed. Thank you for the recognition, and thank you to all the supporters, advisors, and funders who have made it possible for the young adults on Exmoor to solve problems and make themselves heard.”
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Leslie Silverlock - EYV Adviser​
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More information on the recipients and the Award can be found on The King's Award for Voluntary Service website.

While there's been A LOT going on in the country with the General Election, we can't let this week go by without shining a spotlight on Rural Housing Week.
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At Exmoor Young Voices, we're always working behind the scenes to amplify the needs of Exmoors’ young residents and workers. From attending local housing meetings to sharing affordable housing opportunities, supporting individuals with housing & planning queries, and building connections with valuable partnering organiations, we're committed to making a difference.

But we need YOUR help with one critical challenge: finding affordable land for self and custom builds. We have many young people ready and eager to build their own homes, but the availability of land is a major hurdle.

Can YOU help us?

LANDOWNERS: Would you consider selling a parcel of land to a local family? This would enable them to build a home and stay in the community they love.

MEDIA: Can you help us spread the word? Share our call for land with your followers and readers. Let our young people share their stories and visions for their future homes.

COMMUNITY: Talk about us! Share information about Exmoor Young Voices, our Self Build Project, and our urgent call for land. Raising awareness about the risk of losing young people—and their valuable skills—from Exmoor is crucial. You never know who might be listening and able to help!

Join us in making a difference this Rural Housing Week.