Honours Award Categories and Criteria Service Honours Service Honours can be awarded to individual members of RLSS UK or members of affiliated clubs/organisations or ATCs, for years of continuous service to the society. Definition of service is voluntary teaching, assessing or assisting with the organisation, management or promotion of a group or club to support the charity to achieve its aims. The nominee should show a consistent high level of commitment to the society. Service should not comprise simply of being a member of the society or a club, or obtaining lifesaving awards, or for taking part in competitions. Service may start from the age of 14 years old, providing the relevant criteria are met (resulting in any Certificate of Thanks nominees being at least 18 at the time of nomination). Service Honour Categories Certificate of Thanks Four and eight-years’ service (more than one may be awarded) Service Medal 12 years’ service Bar to Service Medal 16 years’ service Service Cross 20 years’ service 1st Bar to Service Cross 25 years’ service 2nd Bar to Service Cross 30 years’ service Please note that the 3 awards following this section require the nominee to have been in RLSS UK Membership for a minimum of 10 years. Honorary UK Life Member 35 years’ service Recognition of Service 40 years’ service UK Long Service Medal 50 years’ service or more Merit Honours Merit Honours are awarded, as the name implies, to individual members, members of affiliated clubs/organisations and ATCs in membership, for meritorious contribution to the society. Only in exceptional circumstances would this be awarded to a nominee younger than 16 years old. There is no length of service requirement for Merit Honours. All Merit Honours nominations should be accompanied by a citation detailing relevant voluntary activity. Merit Honour Categories Certificate of Merit Awarded for Meritorious Contribution at club or branch level. May be awarded more than once but with an interval of at least two years between awards. Certificate of Recognition Awarded for continuing contribution at club or branch level. May be awarded more than once and the nominee would have normally received at least one Certificate of Merit with an interval of at least two years between awards. Medal of Distinction Awarded for outstanding contribution at club, branch or regional level or notable contribution at national level. The nominee would normally have previously received at least one Certificate of Merit and/or Certificate of Recognition Bar(s) to Medal of Distinction Awarded for continuing outstanding contribution at club, branch or regional level and/or notable contribution at national level. To be awarded no more frequently than at four-yearly intervals following receipt of a Medal of Distinction. Medal of Honour Awarded for exceptional contribution at branch or regional level, and/or notable work at national level. Bar(s) to Medal of Honour Awarded for continuing exceptional contribution at branch or regional level, and/or notable work at national level. To be awarded no more frequently than at four-yearly intervals following receipt of a Medal of Honour. Honorary UK Life Governor Awarded for an outstanding contribution to the society as a whole. It would be expected that 'outstanding contribution' would have been given at National Level. UK Honorary Vice President Awarded for a supreme level of contribution to the society. This Honour would be suitable for someone who has chaired several national committees over a period of time and has done so with outstanding ability or made a similar supreme level of contribution to the society at the highest level. Citations should emphasise voluntary activity delivered on behalf of the society since the award of a previous Merit Honour only. The Honours National Committee will not take into account historical contribution when assessing nominations. Although it would be expected that a member would progress through the Merit Honours, there is no absolute requirement for this if exceptional contribution has been given to the society, providing a citation is submitted to reflect this. Criteria for each of the Merit Honours are given in the list above; it is these criteria that will be used by the National Honours Committee to determine if the proposed Honour shall be awarded. If an individual contributes at a club level (especially if they are not in Society membership), it is imperative that their club is recorded in the citation on the nomination form. Branch Nominations It is recommended that each Branch should have a small committee which should review and generate a list of possible nominees and should ensure, as far as possible, that no deserving person is overlooked. The committee can then submit a nomination on behalf of the branch, or alternatively one person from the committee can submit a nomination on behalf of the whole committee. Branches should make every effort to ensure that they collect information for eligibility of individuals for Service Honours. Branches should also encourage their members to bring to their attention their years of service. Please note that RLSS UK HQ are unable to provide branches with their member's previous awards and service start dates. Special Awards Special Awards are given to those who have carried out exceptional work in each special award category below. These are truly prestigious, and individuals, groups and branches are encouraged to consider the criteria and ensure that any members or groups are promoted for the trophies. 🏆The Stanley Peck Trophy🏆 This trophy is awarded to a person who does most to carry out the objectives of the society in their local area, in any capacity. 🏆The Brian Morrissey Cup🏆 This trophy is awarded for the work undertaken on a Society Community Programme. Nominations can be for an individual, club or group. 🏆The Ken White Trophy🏆 This trophy is awarded for any fundraising work on behalf of the society at national, regional, branch or club or local level. The citation should recognise the level of commitment and enthusiasm given throughout 2025. It is not necessarily the recognition of the amount of funds raised. Nominations can be submitted for a club or individual. 🏆The Stuart Bailey Trophy🏆 This trophy is awarded to an individual or group for outstanding work, specific to an open water environment. For guidance, although not limited to these examples, this may include voluntary activity carried out by a rescue service, exceptional open water swimming challenge or open water safety days, demonstrations or camps. 🏆The Clive Holland Trophy🏆 This trophy is awarded to an RLSS UK affiliated club, which has shown considerable impact in the promotion of the society and its aims. It might recognise club development; growth in numbers of members or awards; collaboration with other groups; innovative use of programmes; development of lifesaving sport locally; community involvement or service or a mixture of all or any of these. Specific examples relating to people’s activity on behalf of the society, for which the nominated club has been directly responsible, must be given. 🏆The Deborah Hunt Trophy🏆 This trophy is awarded to a member who has made a contribution to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at national, branch or club level. 🏆The Mark Smith Trophy🏆 This trophy is awarded to a member who has demonstrated the highest contribution to the strategic future of the charity. 🏆Young Lifesaver of the Year Certificate🏆 The Trustees are committed to their aim to create opportunities for young people to become involved in all aspects of the society’s work, the National Honours Committee continues to recognise the contribution of young people in their local area. Anyone can nominate a young person aged between 14 and 24 years old for a Young Lifesaver of the Year Certificate. If there is more than one nomination in this category within the same branch, the National Honours Committee will select one nominee to be put forward. A brief citation is required, to enable the National Honours Committee to make its final decision on the one name to be submitted. There is no specific criteria; however should consider the contribution of each and every young person nominated, whatever their role or involvement for whichever club or group, before they make their final decision. 🏆Young Leaders Trophy🏆 A young person aged between 14 and 24 years old who has demonstrated outstanding personal leadership in contributing to meeting the aims of the society. The National Honours Committee will promote one individual from the published list of Young Lifesaver of The Year Certificates to be honoured with the Young Leaders Trophy. Please note: No nominations are required for this award; this is decided by the National Honours Committee. Calculating Length of Service For 2026 Honours, the number of years of service is up to 31 December 2025; service should have commenced before 1 January 2021 to be eligible to receive a Service Honour in 2026. Nominators should use the following timetable to calculate service prior to submitting nomination forms: Date (Between 1 January and 31 December) Length of service Can be nominated for 2021 4 years Certificate of Thanks (4 years) 2020 5 years 2019 6 years 2018 7 years 2017 8 years Certificate of Thanks (8 years) 2016 9 years 2015 10 years 2014 11 years 2013 12 years Service Medal 2012 13 years 2011 14 years 2010 15 years 2009 16 years Bar to Service Medal 2005 20 years Service Cross 2000 25 years 1st Bar to Service Cross 1995 30 years 2nd Bar to Service Cross 1990 35 years Honorary UK Life Member 1985 40 years Recognition of Service Award 1975 50 years UK Long Service Medal Manage Cookie Preferences