Blyth Lifeguard and Swimming Club (BLSC), a group of volunteers based in Blyth, Northumberland have 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.
BLSC operates most days of the week and is run entirely by volunteers. They primarily offer swimming lessons, lifesaving and first aid classes, competitive swimming and lifesaving sport.
BLSC visit local schools and organisations to teach first aid and CPR, provide a voluntary lifeguard service on Blyth Beach during the summer, and spend a lot of time helping people understand the dangers of being around water.
Most importantly, they want to help prevent drowning. Whether that’s teaching a child to swim, giving someone the confidence to perform CPR, training a lifeguard or simply helping people understand how to stay safe around water, everything we do is about making a difference in their local community.
BLSC 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. Representatives of BLSC will receive the award crystal and certificate from Dr Caroline Pryer, Lord-Lieutenant of Northumberland in the coming months. In addition, two volunteers from BLSC will attend a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace in May and June 2027, along with other recipients of this year’s award. Club chair Gavin Little said: “We are incredibly proud to be recognised with such a prestigious award.
This recognition is a testament to the incredible commitment, dedication and hard work of every volunteer who gives their time to support our club. Our volunteers are at the heart of everything we do, often giving countless hours behind the scenes to ensure our members have the best possible experience. We are passionate about supporting our members and making a positive difference in our local community, so to have that work recognised in this way means a great deal to us.”