Delight as two volunteer organisations given prestigious King’s Award
Junior Up Helly Aa and Shetland Bereavement Support Service are celebrated
TWO ORGANISATIONS in Shetland are celebrating after receiving the highest award for voluntary groups in the UK.
Junior Up Helly Aa (JUHA) and Shetland Bereavement Support Service (SBSS) have both been awarded the King’s Award for voluntary service for 2026.
The prestigious award is equivalent to an MBE for volunteer-led organisations, and has been awarded to around 250 groups across the country this year.
The volunteers of Junior Up Helly Aa have been recognised for their dedication to providing young people in Shetland with opportunities to participate in one of the islands’ most cherished cultural traditions, while developing confidence, teamwork, leadership and community spirit.
SBSS has been recognised for its work providing compassionate bereavement support across Shetland since its inception in 2007.
It has since expanded significantly and now offers one-to-one support for adults and children, family memory boxes, and the Life After Loss bereavement group.
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 the Golden Jubilee and was continued following the accession of His Majesty The King.
Award recipients receive a certificate signed by The King and a crystal award bearing the King’s Award for Voluntary Service insignia.
Representatives of the two organisations will receive the award crystal and certificate from Shetland’s Lord Lieutenant Lindsay Tulloch in the coming months.
Volunteers will also attend a Royal garden party at Holyroodhouse in July 2027.
JUHA chairman Martin Summers said they were “absolutely delighted and deeply honoured” to receive the King’s Award.
“This award belongs to every volunteer, past and present, who has given their time, energy and commitment to supporting young people through Junior Up Helly Aa,” he said.
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“To receive this award at a time when we are both celebrating new milestones and planning for the future makes this recognition even more special.
“The King’s Award recognises what generations of volunteers have achieved, while the support we have received for future development will help ensure the organisation remains strong for generations to come.
“We are incredibly proud to receive this prestigious award on behalf of everyone who has helped shape Junior Up Helly Aa over the years.”
SBSS project co-ordinator Ellen Hughson said it was an “honour” for the bereavement support service to be recognised “with such a prestigious award”.
“I am continually inspired by the time, commitment, and passion shown by our support workers and trustees,” she said.
“They genuinely want to make a positive difference within their community, and their dedication shines through in everything they do.
“I would like to thank each and every volunteer, past and present, for their invaluable contribution. Without them, this service simply would not exist.
“This award recognises the collective effort, compassion, and commitment of everyone who has been part of SBSS over the years, and it is an achievement that makes us all immensely proud.”
Summers said the JUHA committee wanted to give its “sincere thanks” to all those who supported the awards assessment process, which included former junior jarls, guizers and musicians.
“This recognition reflects not only the efforts of current volunteers but also the contribution of generations of volunteers, families, local businesses, funders and supporters who have helped Junior Up Helly Aa flourish and continue to provide meaningful opportunities for young people,” he added.
SBSS said its dedicated volunteers – who “generously give their time, empathy, and expertise to support others during some of the most difficult periods of their lives” – were responsible for them receiving the King’s Award.
“Their ability to combine professionalism with genuine compassion ensures that every person who seeks help feels listened to, valued, and supported,” the service said.
“Many volunteers bring their own lived experience of bereavement to the role, enhancing their ability to provide genuine empathy, comfort, and understanding.
“By investing in its volunteers, SBSS not only strengthens the support it offers to bereaved people but also helps individuals develop new skills, knowledge, and confidence that benefit both themselves and the wider community.”
It added that the contribution of its trustees could also not be overstated.
“Through their involvement in monthly committee meetings and strategic decision-making, they help guide the future direction of the charity and ensure it continues to meet the needs of bereaved people across Shetland,” it said.
Summers said the King’s Award “comes at a particularly significant time” in the history of JUHA.
He said they were preparing for a landmark year, with Erin Harries set to be come the first female junior jarl in the festival’s history in 2027.
And he added that JUHA had secured almost £14,000 towards the feasibility and design stages of a proposed extension to the junior galley shed.
“This award is not only a recognition of the organisation’s past achievements but also an endorsement of its future, as Junior Up Helly Aa continues to invest in facilities, celebrate new milestones and provide opportunities for young people to develop skills, confidence, intergenerational learning and lifelong connections through participation in one of Shetland’s most valued cultural traditions,” he added.
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