Rainbow Living Honoured with King’s Award for Voluntary Service
Rainbow Living has been awarded the King’s Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS) - the highest national honour given to volunteer groups in the UK, in November 2025
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. Rainbow Living has four Rainbow Houses in Exeter and one in Torquay and provides supported living accommodation for 24 adults with learning disabilities.
“We are deeply honoured to receive the King’s Award for Voluntary Service,” said Ruth Airdrie MBE, 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 volunteers are the heart of our mission, bringing compassion, creativity, and dedication to every project and event.”
Receiving this national award is marking an important milestone in the charity’s work to promote inclusion and independence for adults with learning disabilities across Devon. In the future we hope it will encourage further volunteers and supporters to engage with the work of the charity and help hope to go further for special needs adults and their families. Further information can be found on the charity’s website www.rainbowliving.org.uk