| 2003
Award winners
A-H |
I-Q | R-Z
 Lanarkshire
Cancer Care Trust (Volunteer Driver Service)
Formed 17 years ago, this group provides cancer sufferers with
a personal, friendly service that transports them to their medical
appointments comfortably, to time and in safety.
With 155 volunteers and 4 paid staff, the group has 1,400 patients
on its books and in a typical 12 month period takes around 50 patients
each day to hospital or day care.
The service has developed because the local ambulance service is
unable to meet the specific needs of cancer patients who are often
exhausted by long journeys. The volunteer driver service is able
to provide individual ‘customized’ transport so that
patients are away from their homes for much shorter periods.
The photograph below shows members of the Trust and its drivers
receiving the Award from the Lord-Lieutenant of Lanarkshire, Gilbert
Cox MBE JP, on behalf of Her Majesty The Queen, at a reception on
23rd June 2002.
Contact: 01698 355137
The Magdalene Group
In 1992, two Norwich magistrates became concerned at the number
of very young people coming before the court for prostitution offences.
The need for a safe drop-in centre in Norwich was identified to
enable prostitutes to inter-act with trained support workers.
The Group was set up in the heart of the ‘red light' district
to encourage the spiritual, physical and educational well-being
of people working in prostitution, and to offer opportunity for
change. Initial funding provided a sitting room, reception area,
administration office and one paid worker to co-ordinate educational
opportunities and identify support needs. There are now two drop-in
sitting rooms, used for social gatherings, and a variety of educational
and social activities are provided in a safe and supportive atmosphere.
Six paid workers and 22 volunteers provide extensive out-reach work
and support.
In its first ten years, the Group has helped 27 women to come away
from prostitution and successfully rebuild their lives.
Contact: 01603 610256
Muslim Women's Welfare Association
Set up in 1980, this London group provides a safe environment in
which support and advice can be given to Asian women about welfare
benefits and access to mainstream services such as housing, social
services, education and child provision. English language classes,
IT training and other courses are also provided. The group has an
‘open door’ policy and will help anyone who approaches
them: young and old, men and women, from any community.
MWWA has provided a breakthrough for the ethnic minority community.
Many Asian women were suffering in silence because they were not
aware of their rights in society and had been dominated by partners
and family members. The group has helped women to learn a second
language and they have now the confidence to be able to raise their
issues of concern.
In addition to dealing with issues such as domestic violence, disability,
HIV/AIDS,
homelessness, single parents, and drugs awareness, the group runs
a number of projects including a summer playscheme.
Contact: 020 8539 7478
Newham Night Shelter Volunteers
10 years ago, Newham churches from different denominations came
together though the Newham Renewal Programme to provide tangible
help and support for homeless people in the Borough and neighbouring
areas.
The shelter, which enables homeless people to escape the cold winter
nights, is part of a much wider piece of work carried out in partnership
with ‘Turnaround’ (a Newham Renewal Programme project).
It runs for 20 weeks between the beginning of November and the end
of March, and provides a platform to enable ‘Turnaround’
staff and volunteers to engage on a one-to-one basis with visitors.
Over 3,000 homeless people have been helped over the years by a
total of 600 helpers and volunteers who play a major part in running
the shelter.
Visitors register at about 8pm and, after initial refreshments,
enjoy a three course meal. There is then time to sit and talk, relax
or watch TV before going to bed. After a simple breakfast the next
morning, they leave the shelter between 7 and 8am.
Contact: 020 8472 2785
North Devon Gymnastics Display Club
The club was established in 1999 to give people of all ages in
North Devon the opportunity to participate in gymnastics, learn
new skills and meet friends with similar interests in a friendly,
‘family’ environment.
Display gymnastics involves many gymnasts working together to produce
a performance. The routines are choreographed to incorporate people
of all ages and abilities, ensuring the gymnasts learn to communicate
and make friends across the generations.
The club has performed displays all over North Devon, supporting
local fundraising events and agricultural shows. They also enter
festivals across the country, including taking a team of 40 to Scotland
in 2002. In 2003, they represented Britain at the World Gymnaestrada
(festival of gymnastics) in Lisbon.
The club provides sessions for people of all ages, from toddlers
to adults. It focuses on developing its members as individuals,
providing opportunities for improving physical health and psychological
and social well-being. When gymnasts reach the age of 14, they are
encouraged to coach so as to improve their self-confidence and to
provide excellent role models for the 3 to 9 year olds. Over 35
coaches have been trained, most of whom are still at school.
The club aims to continue the coach education programme and fundraising
for more equipment at more venues to increase participation and
enable the current members to learn more skills.
Contact: 01237 471701
 Perry
Hall Community Association
This Birmingham-based group encourages residents to meet each other
and to ensure that standards in the local area do not decline. They
also provide entertainment by arranging coach trips and holidays
as well as providing exercise through dance classes and gardening.
The group have particular cause to celebrate winning The Queen’s
Award because it coincides with their 50th anniversary in May. Mrs.
Elsie Juchnowicz, Secretary for the last 20 years, described this
as “a nice twist of fate” and said that all the members
were delighted.
Members of the group shown in the photograph below are: front :
Fred Pagett, President; centre (from left) : Ireen Pagett, Entertainments
Secretary and Elsie Juchnowicz Secretary and Magazine Editor; back
(from left) : Alan Cox – Treasurer and Doug Haslam –
Chairman.
Contact: 0121 356 8277
 Plymouth
Musical Activities Club
PMAC was set up in 1979 to teach young people between the ages
of 9 and 18 the joys of self-made music, not only for themselves
but also for the benefit of others.
The club is open to all young people who wish to learn and perform
live music. There is no bar on ability or musical background. Commitment
and supporting the aims of the club are the fundamental requirements
for membership. In addition to its 70 or so musicians, the club
has a singing section of 35.
Public performances are given in support of other charitable organisations,
clubs or schools in support of their fund-raising activities. These
performances not only help to reinforce self-confidence and team
spirit in the young people, but also engender a sense of community
awareness. PMAC provides an alternative interest and focus for those
who might not be interested in the more traditional youth organisations.
Contact: 01752 776848
 Quaking
Houses Village Hall Association
Quaking Houses is a small, ex-mining village situated within the
political ward of South Moor in the East of Derwentside. The village
of Quaking Houses is made up of four rows of terraced houses with
no local amenities. At the entrance to the Village is ‘The
Pit Wheel’, a reminder of the Village’s mining history.
The Association was formed by the local people to carry out social
activities. The original hall was a wooden hut. The community carried
out various fund-raising activities and, with the assistance of
Lottery funding, built a new Village Hall which was opened in 1997.
The Association is run by a Management Committee made up of local
people. The volunteers work extremely hard to raise funds to meet
the increasing running costs of providing the activities that benefit
all the community within the area.
Activities within the Hall range from courses on IT for all age
groups through to a craft club and Youth Club for younger members.
The Hall has also recently been designated a Satellite Centre for
Education in the Community.
Contact: 01207 283016
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