A few kind words
Awards & recognition
We never set out to win anything. We set out to sew cloth bags and give them away free, so fewer plastic ones end up strangling the sea. But it turns out that quietly making the world a bit nicer, one bag at a time, does get noticed now and then.
Every award below belongs to the whole community — the thousands of volunteers in nearly 2,900 pods worldwide who’ve stitched their way to more than 630,000 bags. We’re still not-for-profit, still handmade, still free forever. The trophies just make the bunting look better.
The King’s Award for Voluntary Service (2024)
Often called “the MBE for volunteer groups” — and the highest honour a community group can receive in the UK.
In 2024 our friends at Harborough Morsbags — one of our busiest, bag-happiest pods — were awarded The King’s Award for Voluntary Service. It’s the top honour there is for volunteer-led groups in the UK, granted for outstanding work done by local people in their own community.
An absolutely incredible achievement, and a lovely reminder of what a handful of neighbours with sewing machines and a bit of spare fabric can do. Congratulations doesn’t quite cover it — but congratulations all the same.
Global Good Awards — Bronze (2024)
Recognising the do-gooders quietly making a real difference.
Also in 2024, Morsbags took home Bronze at the Global Good Awards. What we loved most were the judges’ comments, which read our little movement rather well:
“Truly community owned and demonstrated creativity.”
“A heartwarming initiative showcasing the power of kindness, social connection and organic, inclusive growth.”
Community owned, creative, heartwarming and a bit organic round the edges. Yes — that’s us. Well done, team.
Previously, in the trophy cabinet
We’ve been at this since 2007, so there’s a bit of history on the shelf too:
- Shortlisted at the P.E.A. Awards, 2017
- Finalist at the National Recycling Awards, 2015
- Green Apple Environment Award — Community Gold Winner, House of Commons, 2010
- Winner — Most Innovative Green Product, Green Awards, 2007
- Winner — Best Newcomer, Green Awards, 2007
- Commended — Green Guardian, 2007
Where it all started
Morsbags began in 2007 when Claire Morsman, watching from her London houseboat, saw plastic bags drifting down the Thames and out to sea — and decided to do something a little bit guerrilla about it. Sociable. Guerrilla. Bagging. Every award since has been won by people who picked up a needle and joined in.
Fancy adding to the tally? You don’t need a trophy to make a difference — you just need some spare fabric and a spare afternoon.