Royal Recognition for Saintfield’s Remarkable Volunteers With A King’s Award For Voluntary Service
Saintfield Community Association (SCA) has been awarded The King’s Award for Voluntary Service 2026, the highest award a local voluntary group can receive in the UK and regarded as the equivalent of an MBE.
The prestigious award recognises the outstanding contribution of SCA’s volunteers to village life, bringing people together, improving community facilities, protecting the local environment and creating opportunities for people of all ages.
Linda Beers, Chair of Saintfield Community Association, said: “Saintfield Community Association is built on the belief that ordinary people, working together and giving freely of their time, can achieve extraordinary things.
“From creating and caring for community spaces to supporting young people, celebrating our heritage and bringing our village together, everything we achieve is made possible by our volunteers.
“Receiving The King’s Award for Voluntary Service is a tremendous honour and a wonderful tribute to everyone, past and present, who has helped make Saintfield such a special place.
“We are immensely proud of what our volunteers have achieved and hope this recognition will inspire even more people to become involved in their community.”
Among SCA’s most significant achievements is the development of Windmill Park, an ambitious, volunteer-driven project which has transformed a historic area of the village into an attractive public park.
Bringing together Saintfield’s heritage, natural environment and community spirit, the Park provides a welcoming green space for residents and visitors to enjoy, and represents a lasting legacy of what can be achieved through voluntary effort, partnership and community support.
SCA also manages Saintfield Community Centre, runs a volunteer-led Youth Club, promotes local heritage and organises community events and activities.
Its dedicated environmental volunteers have helped Saintfield secure the Translink Ulster in Bloom Best Large Village title in both 2025 and 2026 with this year’s success only announced on Tuesday 10th November.
Together, these achievements reflect years of voluntary commitment and a shared determination to make Saintfield a more attractive, welcoming and vibrant place to live, work and visit.
Saintfield Community Association is one of 250 voluntary groups across the UK and Channel Islands to receive the award in 2026.
The King’s Award for Voluntary Service was established in 2002 to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee and continues under His Majesty The King.
Representatives of SCA will receive the award crystal and certificate from the Lord-Lieutenant of County Down in the coming months, while two volunteers will be invited to attend a Royal Garden Party in 2027.
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