An award-winning youth theatre group from Falmouth has been honoured with the highest award for a local voluntary group in the UK.

Young Generation run entirely by volunteers, has been awarded The King’s Award for Voluntary Service for 2024.

This accolade is the highest achievement a local voluntary group can receive in the United Kingdom and is equivalent to an MBE.

Young Generation is one of 281 charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive the prestigious award this year.

Chairperson Ashley Spear and Vice Chairperson Naomi Halliwell pictured with Colonel Sir Edward Bolitho, Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall Chairperson Ashley Spear and Vice Chairperson Naomi Halliwell pictured with Colonel Sir Edward Bolitho, Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall  (Image: Adj Brown) The King’s Award for Voluntary Service aims to recognise outstanding work by local volunteer groups to support their communities.

This year marks the second year of the King’s Award for Voluntary Service, with recipients announced annually on November 14, King Charles II's birthday.

Representatives of the Young Generation will receive the award crystal and certificate from Colonel Sir Edward Bolitho, Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall. In addition, two volunteers from the Young Generation will attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace in 2025, along with other recipients of this year’s award.

Naomi Halliwell, vice chairperson of Young Generation said: “I am absolutely over the moon that the work of Young Generation and our volunteers have been recognised.

“Young Generation has been at the heart of the local community since the group was founded in 1982, having put on over 40 musical theatre productions in Falmouth, with hundreds of local, young people passing through auditions to perform.

“Volunteers play such a crucial and multifaceted role within our group; without volunteers, the Young Generation would simply not be able to exist.”

Chairperson Ashley Spear, Vice Chairperson Naomi Halliwell, Committee Members Vron and John Spear, Volunteer Alan Rowe pictured with Colonel Sir Edward Bolitho, Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall Chairperson Ashley Spear, Vice Chairperson Naomi Halliwell, Committee Members Vron and John Spear, Volunteer Alan Rowe pictured with Colonel Sir Edward Bolitho, Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall  (Image: Adj Brown) Naomi also added her gratitude to everyone involved in the group and supported.

“I am deeply grateful to everyone who lends their time and energy to support our group, from chaperoning, handmaking costumes, building scenery, buying tickets to our performances and everything else in between,” she said.

“This dedication and generosity are what enabled us to continue bringing the magic of theatre to our community.”  

Young Generation was founded in 1982 by Sally and Tony Robinson.

The group was created to introduce young people aged 10-20 years old to the pleasure and discipline of putting on a musical theatre production.

Previous cast members have gone on to secure successful careers in the arts including members of the Royal Shakespeare Company, National Theatre, MTV and the BBC.

Other groups receiving the award in Cornwall this time around are:

  • Holywell Bay Surf Lifesaving Club
  • Wadebridge Foodbank & Store House
  • Walker Lines Gymnasium Trust in Bodmin
  • Squires Field Community Centre in Fowey
  • Operation Encompass near Torpoint.