Rainbow Living Honoured with King’s Award for Voluntary Service

Rainbow Living, an Exeter-based, volunteer-led housing charity supporting adults with learning disabilities across Devon, has been awarded the King’s Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS) - the highest national honour given to volunteer groups in the UK.

Often described as the MBE for voluntary organisations, the King’s Award recognises the outstanding dedication and impact of this local charity’s volunteers, trustees, and supporters, who for nearly two decades have worked tirelessly to create inclusive homes and supportive communities for individuals with learning disabilities.

Founded in 2006, Rainbow Living is almost entirely volunteer-led, with just one paid staff member. The charity owns and manages specially adapted homes in Exeter and Torbay, enabling tenants to live as independently as possible with the support of care providers, families, and the wider community.

“We are deeply honoured to receive the King’s Award for Voluntary Service,” said Ruth Airdrie, a Director at Rainbow Living. “This recognition is a tribute to the incredible commitment of our volunteers and the life-changing impact of inclusive housing. It’s a proud moment for our trustees, tenants, families, and everyone who has supported our mission.”

Rainbow Living will celebrate this national honour in the coming weeks alongside its tenants, volunteers, and supporters, marking an important milestone in the charity’s journey to promote inclusion and independence for adults with learning disabilities across Devon.

The official announcement of the 2025 King’s Award for Voluntary Service will be published in The Gazette and on the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) website at 9.00am on Friday 14 November 2025. Rainbow Living will also be featured on the King’s Award for Voluntary Service social media channels throughout the day.