| 2004
Award Winners
A-H
| I-Q | R-Z
Indian Muslim Welfare Society (IMWS)
The Society was formed in 1957 to address the
needs of the community in Batley, West Yorkshire, and to give advice
to Indian immigrants settling in the region. Today it has almost
80 volunteers and 15 paid staff who assist in a variety of activities
and services, including providing a safe and comfortable meeting
place aimed specifically at women, young and elderly people and
where children can also use the study facilities.
The IMWS now operate from the Al-Hikmah Centre,
which has conference and seminar facilities enabling them to reach
out to a wider community. They promote community issues as well
as facilitating cultural activities. They also create job and training
opportunities for disadvantaged members of the community, working
closely with local authorities and education establishments. As
a voluntary faith organisation, IMWS has the support and respect
of local families.
This organisation is at the core of community
cohesion, playing a significant role in minimising community tensions
and promoting respect across different communities.
Contact: 01924 500555
Inspiration FM
Inspiration FM began 8 years ago as a result
of collaboration between young men and women of African Caribbean
descent who shared a passion for music, dance and communication.
The ‘Inspiration Family’ as they have become known,
identified the needs of the diverse Northamptonshire communities
who were under-represented in media. Programmes on this community
radio station are multi-cultural and tailored to reflect its mainly
Punjabi, African and Irish listeners.
Working with organisations including local councils,
the Council for Ethnic Minority Communities and the Black Policeman’s
Association means that this project has moved beyond negative images
and now creates positive role models for all young people. With
over 60 volunteers and 8 committee members, weekends and evenings
are spent working with others, especially young people, encouraging
them to utilise their spare time in a positive constructive manner.
Contact: 01604 250544
Lowestoft Civic Society Heritage Workshop
Centre
Founded in 1971 by members of the local Rotary
club and their friends, the Lowestoft Civic Society was set up to
preserve the heritage of the town and promote civic pride.
In 1994 the Society was given the disused John
Wilde School building, which it subsequently restored. This is the
Heritage Workshop Centre. Here the volunteers help collate written,
photographic and oral material about the evolution of Lowestoft.
Exhibitions and presentations enable the local community and schools
to benefit from the group’s endeavours.
As partners in the Lowestoft into Work project,
the group offers work placements to those who have been out of work
through illness or disability, or unemployed for a long period,
to learn new skills while researching the history of the town, now
a deprived area with high unemployment levels.
Young members of the community attend for work
experience or to do work for NVQs. School parties of all ages are
encouraged to visit.
Contact: 01502 587500; email lcs1@btinternet.com
Mitalee Youth Association
The Mitalee Youth Association was established
in 1984 with the support of Luton Town Football Club and aimed to
redress the disadvantages faced by young people from all backgrounds
in a deprived area of Luton.
The Association is run by young people for young
people, with 14 volunteers helping to raise the profile of young
people in the community by developing their personal, social and
practical skills and looking at issues affecting their lives.
The group's activities range from Diverse FM,
a community radio project to teach broadcasting skills, to football
coaching for successful Bengali football league teams. The volunteers
also stage drama productions and organise summer school activities
in partnership with local authorities, agencies and the police.
Four international youth exchange programmes have also taken place
with funding raised by members.
Contact: 07836 702863
No Panic
No Panic is a unique self-help group, set up
12 years ago, by an agoraphobia sufferer to help others in the same
position. The group provides relief and rehabilitation for people
with anxiety disorders through a range of support services, including
a confidential helpline and teleconferencing.
The group now has over 100 volunteers in the
UK and has 3,000 members. Volunteers run a national helpline, which
takes 50,000 calls a year, produce literature and videos on anxiety,
and have pioneered telephone self-help groups. The national helpline
is open from 10am-10pm daily staffed by volunteers, who often work
from home as their illness prevents them from getting out and finding
other forms of employment. The volunteers themselves have benefited
as many have overcome their fears through working for No Panic.
Colin Hammond, Chief Executive of No Panic said:
“Being a winner of the 2004 Queen’s Award has shown
the volunteers that people do have an interest in their condition
and want to be educated about it. This award has given a real boost
to the volunteers, recognising their devotion to helping people
to understand the problems of coping with anxiety disorders.”
Contact: 01952 590005
Oakhaven Hospice
Oakhaven Hospice, an independent charity, is
a community based specialist service, caring each week for over
120 patients with complex needs and their families. Providing this
service costs £1.6 million, and with less than 20% of funding
coming from the NHS, the Hospice relies heavily on the generosity
of the local community.
Many volunteers have been associated with the
Hospice since it opened in 1992. Some provide their time as and
when they are able, others commit to a certain number of hours on
a regular basis. Relatives and carers of patients very often comment
on the support they have had from volunteers, when they write to
express their appreciation of the care they and their loved one
received.
Every volunteer, regardless of where in the Trust
they choose to contribute their time, is a valued member of the
team. Without them, Oakhaven would not be able to provide the level
of service it does. Volunteers assist in: the In-patient Unit, Day
Hospice, retail shops, bereavement visiting, transport, fundraising,
reception, administration, and garden maintenance.
The hours volunteers contribute - as many as
36,000 in one year - and the help they provide is very important
to patients, their carers and families, as well as to the Oakhaven
staff.
Contact: 01590 677 773
Pooh Bear Reading Assistance Society
The aim of this Hull based organisation, founded
28 years ago, is to build confidence and skill with reading through
sharing and enjoying books, games and other resources with children
and young people on a one to one basis.
Hundreds of volunteers, recruited from the City
and elsewhere in the East Riding of Yorkshire provide support in
schools, family homes and reading clubs in community venues.
All volunteers receive training to equip them
for their role and are offered additional accredited training. Volunteer
support is a high priority and retention is good. Volunteers, involved
in the scheme for ten years or more, have made a real difference
to the lives of hundreds of children.
Current funding has enabled the organisation
to extend its provision through establishing community bases in
specifically targeted areas. Additionally Development Workers help
parents to support their own children, and have increased opportunities
for local children through the introduction of peer mentoring. This
scheme has proved popular and has been successful in increasing
self- esteem, not only through reading improvement, but also through
a sense of responsibility.
Contact: 01482 224333
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