Recognition and awards
Our volunteers are at the heart of the RNLI. Without all our volunteers – crew, lifeguards, fundraisers, water safety volunteers, shop, museum and others – the RNLI wouldn’t be able to save lives at sea.
Volunteers deserve recognition for the incredible contribution they make to saving lives at sea.
We have a range of awards recognising both the service and efforts of RNLI volunteers, including Excellence in Volunteering Awards, Long Service Awards and informal thank you cards.
Recognition
Take a look at some of the different types of RNLI awards and how you can help celebrate and recognise our incredible volunteers.
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Who are you looking to recognise?
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Do you want to say thank you to a volunteer or have they excelled in their role and gone the extra mile?
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Do you want to say thank you to the group or have they excelled in their roles and gone the extra mile?
Excellence in Volunteering Awards
The Excellence in Volunteering Awards (EVAs) recognise volunteers who have gone above and beyond in their usual volunteering role and positively impacted an individual, their team, their community, or the wider RNLI. Awards range from framed certificates of thanks to hardware, depending on the award level decided by the Excellence in Volunteering Panel.
Nominations are welcome all year round.
For more guidance, our Excellence in Volunteering Awards FAQs (PDF - 106KB) are available to download.
If you have any questions, please get in touch at [email protected].
Submit your nomination
Long Service Awards
Our Long Service Awards recognise the dedication and commitment of our long serving volunteers. All registered volunteers are eligible with awards starting at 20 years plus in 10 years increments. All RNLI cumulative service is recognised.
The awards take the form of a medal (and clasp from 30 years onwards) or badge; with the option to purchase the alternative.
Anyone who manages volunteers in a staff or volunteer capacity (e.g. Volunteer Shop Managers, Branch Chairs and Lifeboat Operations Managers etc.) can put people forward for an award.
There is an annual nomination process and nominations for 2026 are now closed.
Service Awards
To complement our Long Service Awards, we are introducing new service recognition for all registered volunteers reaching 1, 5 and 10 years' service in 2026 onwards. All RNLI cumulative service is recognised.
The new service awards will take the form of a pin badge and recipients will be identified automatically based on volunteer service data.
We have a range of awards recognising both the service and efforts of RNLI volunteers, including Excellence in Volunteering Awards, Long Service Awards and informal thank you cards.
The Service Awards recognise the incredible contribution of volunteers specifically in relation to their length of service. In 2026 we are introducing our new service recognition for all volunteers reaching 1, 5 and 10 years' service to complement the existing Long Service Awards for 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70 or 80-year milestone.
Similarly to our Long Service Awards (LSAs), all voluntary service in any RNLI volunteer role will be combined (excluding any breaks in service) and a final calculation will be produced annually. If you reach 1, 5 or 10 years in that calendar year you will be eligible for the new service recognition. Awards will not be produced if you are between milestones.
Milestones of 20 years+ will continue to be recognised by our LSAs.
Rather than online nominations, the Volunteer Recognition team will identify eligible award recipients based on the volunteer service data.
If you subsequently become aware of a volunteer who has reached one of the above milestones but not been automatically identified, please contact [email protected] who will resolve this.
Please note, nominations will need to be made for the Long Service Awards for 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70 or 80 year milestones.
Our Service Awards FAQs (PDF 185KB) are also available to download.
If you have any other questions, please email [email protected]
Lifetime Achievement Award
The Lifetime Achievement Award is to recognise volunteers for their longstanding, excellent contribution to the RNLI. This award celebrates volunteers who consistently demonstrate the RNLI Values and Behaviours throughout their volunteering with the RNLI. The award recognises sustained excellence and impact, rather than length of service alone.
All registered volunteers who are currently active or who have left recently (within one month) are eligible.
Nominations can be made via the Excellence in Volunteering Awards (EVAs) and be considered by the EVA Panel.
Recipients will receive a personalised framed certificate signed by the Chair, a personalised crystal and be awarded with the title of Honorary RNLI Ambassador.
Supporter awards
RNLI supporters play a vital role in saving lives at sea. Supporters are any person or business who is not registered as a volunteer, but raises funds or awareness on our behalf. These include local businesses and individuals who have organised one-off fundraisers or schools. If you know of a supporter who deserves recognition, please complete the Supporter Award form.
Meritorious Awards
Meritorious awards are as old as the Institution, the first being presented in 1824. They are awarded for a single incident or service that merits recognition through an act of courage, endeavour or bravery. Meritorious awards are available to predominantly lifeboat crew, shore crew and lifeguards. Meritorious awards are categorised into two groups:
Commendations
- Lifesaving Operations Director Commendation
- Chief Executive’s Commendation
- Medical Director’s Commendation
Gallantry awards
- Letter of Thanks signed by the Chair
- Thanks of the Institution on Vellum
- Bronze medal
- Silver medal
- Gold medal
Recommendations for an award are initiated by coastal teams at our Lifeboat Stations or Lifeguard units. Further information can be obtained by contacting: [email protected].
Retirement or leavers recognition
For Operational volunteers:
Certificates of Service for Operational Volunteer Leavers can be requested through People Admin: [email protected]. These are automatically awarded to all Crew, Shore Crew, LOMs and LMAs who have served 10 years or more.
For all other volunteers:
Certificates of Service are signed by the Chief Executive and are available for volunteers leaving the RNLI, who have served 10 years or more. Please contact volunteer recognition team [email protected]
Just want to say thank you?
Has someone helped you in your role at the RNLI? Perhaps they’ve helped you learn the ropes, taught you a new skill or offered their time or skills to help you in your role? Why not take a moment to make them smile by saying thank you!
Thank you resources
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Order Thank you cards through MyStore to send to the volunteer/s you wish to recognise. If you don't have a MyStore account, contact your Staff Volunteer Manager who can order them for you, or you can order a selection by emailing [email protected].Go to MyStore -
Share their recognition on the virtual Volunteer Thank You Wall. Upload an image and message to thank the volunteer/s.Write on our virtual thank you wall