The daily Points of Light award recognises outstanding individual volunteers - people who are making a change in their community.
It has been developed in partnership with the hugely successful Points of Light programme in America, which was established by President George H W Bush, and has since recognised over 5,000 individuals and has the support of President Barack Obama.
Points of Light winners are found by a network of volunteers, including National Citizen Service graduates and members of the Step up to Serve coalition. However, if members of the public would like to make a nomination they can write to the Prime Minister.
Prime Minister David Cameron said:
“We should do more as a country to recognise volunteering. In America they have Points of Light. President George H W Bush spoke about 1,000 Points of Light shining out in difficult times. Britain is going to have its own Points of Light scheme.”