2005 Award Winners

A-H | I-Q | R-Z

Ragamuffin’s Children’s Theatre
Established for nine years, Ragamuffin’s Children’s Theatre group brings all elements of the performing arts, music, drama and dance to young people.

The group meets on a weekly basis that culminates in a full-scale production every six months.  They have put on many performances ranging from ‘Blood Brothers’ to ‘Aladdin’.

The group meet in the church rehearsal hall and in return the church gets a substantial donation at the end of the year.  The funds are used to subsidise projects within the church.  Most recently donations were used to purchase dishwashers for the lunch club, which caters for seventy old age pensioners every week.

Director Rhonda Scott was extremely happy to have been recognised. “We aim to help young people express themselves though performing arts and develop a range of skills.”

Contact: Mrs Rhonda Scott (Director)
Phone: 01224 894470

Ready Call - Ashbourne Volunteer Bureau
Since 2000, Readycall has helped elderly and vulnerable people to continue living independently in their own homes. The Southern Derbyshire Dales is a very rural area where services are often difficult to access, public transport is limited and the elderly and vulnerable can easily become very isolated.

Operating from Ashbourne Volunteer Bureau, Readycall volunteers provide practical help (such as shopping, odd jobs and simple DIY tasks) along with befriending and social contact to help reduce isolation and loneliness. Our volunteers come from all sectors of the community, including sixth formers from the local secondary school, providing cross-generational contact that is beneficial to both service user and volunteer.

The range of tasks undertaken by Readycall is very varied - our volunteers have defrosted freezers, changed light bulbs, helped someone adjust to a new dietary regime and walked energetic dogs for owners whose mobility has declined.

Readycall is currently funded through to August 2006 by 'The Big Lottery'.

Contact: Penny Smith, 01335 348600,
email: readycall@avb.org.uk

Rhyl Gateway Club
Established for twenty years, the Rhyl Gateway Club is a centre for adults with learning difficulties. The group meet on Tuesday evenings and also enjoy day trips and an annual holiday.

Members take part in a range of social, recreational and educational activities. This gives them new skills and boosts their confidence. The club also provides a place for Carers to meet and take a break from their daily schedules.

The service is provided by volunteers who create a warm, inclusive atmosphere and ensure everyone participates.

Group Leader Patricia Eccleston is pleased the club's hard work has been recognised, "Improving the lives of people with learning difficulties is a reward in itself, but we are delighted to receive this prestigious award."

Contact: Patricia Eccleston (Group Leader, Rhyl Gateway Club)
Phone: 01745 571 418

RIDING FOR THE DISABLED (R.D.A.), ISLE OF MAN GROUP
Riding for the Disabled (R.D.A) has a simple aim. To make a difference to the lives of disabled people in a very special way - by providing opportunities to ride or carriage drive to benefit health and well being.

From very small beginnings in 1976 the Isle of Man Group now offers riding to over 70 youngsters. The Group involves about 30 helpers, 7 Instructors and 2 Physiotherapists, all of who are volunteers. Our riders have competed in R.D.A. National Championships and Special Olympics.

R.D.A. set proficiency tests divided into two sections, riding and horse care. Riders take these as they reach the appropriate levels. The higher levels require an examiner from the region and someone visits the Island 2 / 3 times a year for this purpose and to assess our instructors. Instructors and Physiotherapists attend regular training sessions in the region.

Mrs Priscilla Mayall Group Organiser says:
"We are absolutely thrilled to have won the Queen's Award and to be recognised for the work we do with people with physical and learning difficulties on the Isle of Man. We will continue to provide riding and carriage driving thereby helping each individual to achieve his / her best level of excellence, including, wherever possible, a knowledge of horse care to as many people as possible."

Contact: Mrs Priscilla Mayall
Ph: 01624 843539

Sai School of Harrow
The 'Sai School of Harrow' is a free organisation with a message of social unity to produce responsible citizens. Working towards a cohesive future the 'school' works with local and national organisations to lead Britain into a modern integrated society. The result is young children from the ethnic minority population who are nurtured with a sense of pride at being British.

Every Saturday children, who are mostly second/third generation Hindu, undertake life-enhancing projects related to the environment, local churches, mosques, temples and Harrow Interfaith Council in addition to performance events for disadvantaged communities.

The school's reputation has grown since its conception in 1995 and is now one of the most popular supplementary schools in the UK with 500 students and a two-year waiting list. With the Boroughs of London projected to have a Black, Ethnic population of over 50% by 2012 the 'Sai School of Harrow' hopes to extend its message for the welfare of the whole of society.

Ranu Metcha Radia says:

"We are glad to be recognised for helping the children understand the importance of their culture and the values of British citizenship. We will continue our work and hope to build a better future for our community."

Contact: Ranu Metcha-Radia 0208 868 1693
Email:ranumehtaradia@btinternet.com

St Benedict’s Hospice Sunderland Volunteers

Established for twenty years, St Benedict’s Hospice Sunderland Volunteers aims to give practical and supportive help to patients, relatives and carers to compliment the work of care professionals.

Most volunteers work for three hours, one day a week. Their assistance is very much needed: in 2003/2004 the Hospice looked after 2012 patients from 244 day care sessions.

Palliative Care services Co-ordinator Julie Dagg says she is delighted the group’s work has been recognised, “We are dedicated to enhancing the level of care available to patients and their families.”

Contact: Mrs Julie Dagg
Phone: 0191 5699 191 

Skye and Raasay Old People's Welfare Committee
'Skye Old People's Welfare Committee' provides a voluntary transport service for the benefit of the elderly and disabled residents who live in remote areas of Skye and Raasay. A Minibus delivers a valuable lifeline to more than 100 pensioners who have no other means of accessing services including shops, church and social amenities.

Living alone in a remote village means that elderly persons often lose touch with the community. The door-to-door service allows people who live in isolation to meet up with old friends, make new friends and catch up on news.

The volunteers are extremely diligent. They ensure the passengers are well and carry their shopping to their door - making sure that everyone is indoors safely before the bus leaves.

Chairperson Dolina Turner, says, "What can one say? We're quite thrilled at receiving the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service. The Committee and all the volunteers have worked so hard to make this initiative a success. It all began with a single car - and now we fundraise every few years to fund the mini-bus."

Contact: Dolina Turner
Ph: 01470 532263
Email: ab1turner@yahoo.co.uk

SOS
' SOS' is a community group, which aims to create a safe city environment by reducing crime and the fear of crime in Norwich city during the busy weekend evenings. Supported since its inception by Norwich City Council, the 'SOS Bus' has made a significant impact in providing a safe haven and information point during periods when some 20-30, 000 people come into the enjoy the city facilities.

Launched after the tragic death of three young people, the 'Bus' has since successfully helped distressed people of all ages with the problems encountered in the city centre at night. The volunteers, who have built links with the local police and doormen, work in difficult conditions and unsociable hours to provide a potentially life-saving service.

'SOS' was applauded at the Labour Party Conference in 2001 and has acted as a catalyst for similar schemes throughout the country. Although funding has been gathered through the determination of the volunteers in gaining individual donations, and media appeals the demand for resources is constant: their £164,000 Home Office Grant will soon run out.

Les Brown from SOS says:

'We are delighted to have won this award and be recognised for our hard work. We will continue to help the people in our community by providing the best possible service and getting people home safe and sound.'

Contact: Les Brown
Tel: 01603 866575/01603 866958
Mobile:  07836 636350
Email: lcb@lcba.fsnet.co.uk

The Source
'The Source' is a café that has been making a difference for five years and has become an important aspect of many young people's lives. The 200 volunteers who gave up their weekends to renovate a dilapidated building have provided a centre for young people in Aldershot to obtain advice, socialise and explore diverse activities such as football training and anger management classes.

Through a special mentoring system, the youngsters find that a few hours of quality time and guidance can have a profound effect on their lives.

Having helped many young people over the years, 'The Source' is keen to continue its good work. With costs of £145,000 a year to run all the different facets 'The Source' is r eliant on the donations of various groups ranging from the police to local businesses. However, with the lease on their building expiring in March 2006, 'The Source' is now looking for new premises.

Group leader Jo Emett says, " We are delighted, really thrilled to receive the Queen's Award for voluntary service!  We have been worried about having to move so this has been a real boost!"

Contact: Jo Emett 01252 333330
Email: info@thesourcecafe.co.uk
Website: www.thesourcecafe.co.uk

South Wye News
South Wye News is a community newspaper published quarterly by a group of local volunteers. The project started as the brainchild of a professional media company in 2000 who put a bid into the Single Regeneration budget to fund a two year project entitled South Wye Information Project for Everyone (SWIPE).

After two years the initial funding ran out and the media company left the newspaper for the volunteers to run. They have since redesigned the paper, changing from a tabloid format to their own colourful magazine/newspaper format. They have added a number of new features and faced a very steep learning curve. The volunteers work hard to feature local issues which are meaningful to local residents and are not afraid of courting controversy. In addition the paper provides a means for other regeneration projects in the area to advertise their initiatives to local residents.

Jenny Tucker reflects that the area of South Wye is perhaps the most consistently deprived area of Hereford, consisting of five council estates built in the 1930s. Before the newspaper was published the area of South Wye did not have a collective identity which the residents would recognise and identify with. Instead there was a divisive mentality between the estates. The community paper has helped to bring the different estates together and now the Hereford Journal even has a South Wye section of their paper and sometimes lifts stories from the community paper.

The community has responded well to the paper and often replies to features in the paper. Although many residents still fear putting pen to paper they often come into the offices to tell the editorial staff what they think. The group have recently experienced some setbacks, having had their offices broken into. However Jenny and Bobby are determined to keep going. Jenny is looking into attracting more advertising to the paper to make it more economically sustainable in the long-run.

Contact: Jenny Tucker 01432 355 409
Email: southwyenews@dsl.pipex.com

Support After Murder and Manslaughter (SAMM)
Established for nine years, Support After Murder and Manslaughter (SAMM) is run by and for people who have been bereaved by murder or manslaughter. The group offers a 24-hour telephone helpline, counselling and home visits. They also provide support for necessary court proceedings.

SAMM representatives seek to raise awareness of the effects of murder on family and friends of victims, by visiting organisations to talk about their work and giving interviews to the media. Training is also provided for police family liaison officers to improve the way they deal with the bereaved.

Chairperson John Sandwell says he is delighted the group has won this award, "We strive to support people through a very difficult time and respond to their needs."

Contact: John Sandwell (Chairperson, SAMM)
Phone: 0151 207 6767

Surrey Appropriate Adult Volunteer Scheme

Established for over ten years, the Surrey Appropriate Adult Volunteer Scheme looks after juveniles and vulnerable elderly people in police custody.

The service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, making it easier for police to deal with the people in a way that preserves their dignity.

Volunteers remain with the person in custody, helping them to communicate and ensuring that the interview is conducted fairly. In the past year they have helped 1508 people.

Assistant Manager Dermot Pearce says he is very happy the group had been recognised, “We endeavour to ensure people in custody are treated properly and it is great to have won this award.”

Contact:  Mr Dermot Pearce (Assistant Manager)
Phone: 01306 631 143

Stafford Samaritans
Established for over forty years, Stafford Samaritans provides 24-hour support for people in distress or despair. The service is staffed by volunteers who correspond with those in need by phone, letter and email.

Every year thousands of local people contact the Stafford Samaritans, and volunteers are required to show a high level of commitment to meet this need. They must undergo eight weeks of training and be available for regular duty.

The aim of the service is to reduce the incidence of suicide and self-harm in the local area.

Director Ria Lane says she is very pleased the group has received this award, "It is a great honour for our volunteers, without whom this service could not exist."

Contact: Ria Lane (Director, Stafford Samaritans)
Phone: 01785 243 333
Website: http://www.samaritans.org.uk/

St Clare Hospice
The 'St. Clare Hospice' provides essential care for people suffering from life threatening conditions such as cancer in an in-patient or day care unit. The specially trained doctors, nurses, volunteers and councillors work closely with medical professionals in the community to ensure that patients receive the best care and treatment both in the hospice and at home.

Without the contribution of the volunteers, the running of the hospice would be impossible: providing pivotal support, they are of invaluable assistance to the professionals ability to deliver effective care and support for both the patients in the final days of their illness and their families.

With no other palliative care for those suffering from life threatening illnesses in the region, the work carried out by the St Clare Hospice provides an important service for the local community.

Julie Hewlett of St Clare Hospice says:

"We are delighted to be awarded with this prestigious accolade and be recognised for our work with the Hospice. We will continue to work as a team to help others and hope that other groups from our area see this and enter the 2006 awards."

Contact: Julie Hewlett
Phone: 01279 773700
Email: j.hewlett@stclare-hospice.co.uk

Strokes R Us
Strokes R Us has established a support network for young victims of stroke in the North Staffordshire region. There are currently 70 members (under 65) who meet regularly to share their experiences and provide support for each other. They organise activities and outings for members such as shopping trips, Xmas lunch, weekends away and swimming pool water therapy.

The group has successfully campaigned for better stroke care in the area that culminated in the recent opening of a stroke ward at the district hospital. The new dedicated stroke ward increases the number of beds for stroke victims from 18 to 44.

The group offers a lifeline to stroke sufferers who can sometimes feel isolated, particularly if the stroke happens at a young age.

Through their campaigning, Strokes R Us has been appointed to sit on the clinical governance board of the district hospital so the group now has input to the way the hospital manages stroke care.

Strokes R Us is dedicated to keep helping stroke victims ensure they get the best care possible to allow recovery and minimise disability.

Linda was recently awarded The Richard Thomas Community Award, the Life After Stroke Award for 2005 presented by Trevor Phillips.

Contact: Linda or Peter Handy 01538 751 671

The Sussex Snowdrop Trust

Established for 11 years, The Sussex Snowdrop Trust helps local children with life-threatening or terminal illnesses like leukaemia and meningitis.

The Trust aims to ease the financial and emotional burden on families and improve the child’s quality of life. It has supported around 45 families this year.

Co-Chairman Diana Levantine says she is delighted about the award, “We make it possible for the children and their families to remain as positive and happy as possible throughout their illness and are honoured to be recognised for our work.”

Contact: Mrs Diana Levantine
Phone: 01243 811 207  

Talbot House Support Group
The 'Talbot House Support Group' is dedicated to supporting the parents of children and adults with special needs in Manchester. The team relieves physical and mental distress of children suffering with brain damage by providing life enhancing practical advice and guidance.

A registered charity since 1980 the work of 'Talbot House' has been invaluable to the 400 families who currently rely on the tireless work of the expert staff and volunteers. This support ranges from assistance with paperwork; through training days; respite care and social events appropriate to the families - including a 'pamper room' where beauticians provide relaxing treatment.

Talbot House currently has over 400 families registered with them. In addition, the expertise of the staff is in great demand for conferences and training courses - all of which indirectly helps others in similar circumstances.

The success of the 'Talbot House' experience has seen the extension of the service they provide with the establishment of a similar group for the minority ethnic community, which is now wholly independent of 'Talbot House'.

Group Leader Bernie Wood says, "We are absolutely thrilled abouth winning the Queen's Award! It is like being in a bath full of jelly with the taps running custard!"

Contact: Bernie Wood 0161 203 4095
Email: berniewood8@aol.com

TALK
Established for six years, TALK offers support to people with dysphasia (loss of ability to understand, speak, read or write) following a stroke.

The group meets weekly at five different locations where people recovering converse with volunteers. Designed to be as stimulating as possible, the programme encourages people to participate and make progress. A home visit service is also available.

Volunteers play a vital role in boosting the people's confidence and improving the way they communicate with their carers and families, who are also affected by the person's condition.

Chairperson Philippa Galloway says she is delighted the group has won this award, "TALK is committed to providing assistance to those who need it. By helping dysphasia sufferers communicate we can help them reclaim their lives."

Contact: Philippa Galloway (Chairperson, TALK)
Phone: 01243 537 934

Talking with Hands
Talking with Hands enables children and adults with hearing difficulties in the UK to enjoy cinema visits to watch signed and subtitled films. The programme enables deaf people to integrate with non-deaf people in a fun environment.

The group liaises with local cinemas and schools to break down barriers for the hearing impaired and promote more deaf subtitles in cinemas and have successfully lobbied the FACT Copyright Industry to change perceptions of deaf people in the movie industry.

Talking with Hands is committed to promoting equal opportunity for deaf people within their local community and will continue to do so to make a difference.

“People within our group have built up confidence through being with us and volunteering. Throughout the years there has been hard work and tears but being recognised for this award shows what we have achieved.”

Contact: Rose-Ann O’Malley 07742 146 326

The hospice has 16 in-patient beds where patients may be admitted for pain and symptom control, respite care or terminal care.

The Day Therapy Unit offers an opportunity for patients who do not require in-patient care to access rehabilitation and therapies during one day each week. Therapies include physiotherapy, complementary therapies, emotional support/counselling, occupational therapy, spiritual support or social support.

There is a Drop In service that provides supportive therapies for adults and their carers whose lives are touched by cancer or a life threatening illness.  The Drop In Service looks at individual needs and appointments are made to access therapies.

The Volunteer Service Manager looks after the 200+ volunteers without whom the hospice would struggle. The team includes doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, complementary therapist, occupational therapist, artist, social worker and chaplain plus support services - cooks, domestics, caretakers, receptionists, office staff and fundraisers. 

Group leader and spokesperson Julian Gill says:
"Our volunteers are invaluable, without them we would struggle. Winning the Queen's Award has helped recognise the hard work the volunteers do each day."

Contact: Dr Julian Gill
Phone: 01924 373467
Website: www.wakefieldhospice.co.uk

Wallingford Coach for the Disabled
Established for 33 years, Wallingford Coach for the Disabled provides outings for the elderly and disabled.

The coach, named Elizabeth, makes over 120 trips a year and relies on a pool of drivers, all volunteers. The service runs throughout the year and caters for a variety of people throughout Oxfordshire and Berkshire.

Elizabeth is equipped to serve the needs of her disabled users and includes a wheelchair lift and security rails.

Administrator Pat Beesley says she is very happy the group has won this award, “Our drivers do a brilliant job of enabling people to enjoy experiences that would otherwise not be possible.”

Contact: Pat Beesley (Administrator, Wallingford Coach for the Disabled)
Phone: 01491 838 604

Waltham Forest Asian Seniors' Club

Established for over 10 years the Waltham Forest Asian Senior's Club is a voluntary organisation set up by older Asian people primarily to promote the welfare of all older Asian people, above the age of 50, resident in the London Borough of Waltham Forest and neighbourhood without discrimination on grounds of religion, politics or sexuality.

The club activities include a luncheon club serving authentic Asian food at a subsidised rate rwo times a week and a 'women' only activity once a week. The Club's most notable achievement is the level of participation by older Asian women who are one of the hardest to reach groups among Asian people.

The group has a strong focus and awareness of the health of older Asian people. Statistics show that the death rate from coronary heart disease is 46% higher in South Asian men than the UK population as a whole, for women it is 51% higher. The risk of older Asian people contracting heart disease and diabetes is also an issue the group is aware of.

To make their members aware of these issues the group presently run activities include bilingual Keep-Fit classes, health talks and seminars, computer classes and advice sessions for all older Asian people besides fulfilling the social and cultural needs of the local older Asian population.

Group Leader Sabra Syed from Waltham Forest Asian Seniors Club says:

"We are so happy we have won the award and are honoured to be recognised. It has given us a lot of credibility. The Asian Community will now recognise the impact our work has created."

Contact: Sabra Syed
Ph: 0208 509 3556
Email: asian-seniors-club@lineone.net

Waterhouses Community Association
Established for over nine years, Waterhouses Community Association provides social, educational and recreational activities for local residents. 

A Community Centre was built with funding from the National Lottery and local support. The Association now maintains and manages it, while overseeing the provision of a range of activities.

The Centre is now a successful part of the local community and is self-sustaining.

Secretary Rhona Foster says she is very pleased the group has been recognised, “We are proud of the contribution we make to the local community and hope to continue doing so for years to come.”

Contact: Mrs Rhona Foster (Secretary)
Phone: 0191 373 9113

West Somerset Disability Association
'West Somerset Disability Association' is a group encouraging its members to enjoy life. The association helps people aged from 25 up to go on regular social outings, shopping trips, morning teas, sailing, weekends away. In addition these leisure activities they also provide a range of educational opportunities.

The association has facilitated people with disabilities to get the most out of life. Their Braille machine has been a particularly helpful investment and a number of restaurants now ask the association to translate menus into Braille for their customers. An IT instructor also helps members to become computer literate.

The members of 'West Somerset Disability Association' are especially interested in setting up a website in the near future however as a voluntary organisation they do not currently have the funds to set one up and are actively seeking more funding.

President, Mrs Jean Gilbert says:

"One of our members had not been out in 6 years and she had to pinch herself because she could not believe what fun she was having."

Contact: Mrs Jean Gilbert
Ph: 01984 641 197
Email: wsomersetdisability@tiscali.co.uk

West View Community Association
Established for six years, West View Community Association provides educational and recreational opportunities for local people with the aim of improving community relations.

The Association operates a Community Centre, which is home to a Healthy Eating Club, a Mother and Toddlers' Group and range of educational courses.

To reduce anti-social behaviour, the Association have also set up 'Dream Scheme' a project that rewards community spirited young people and arranges enjoyable outings.

Chairman David Blower says he is very pleased about the award, "The commitment of our volunteers has helped the community come together to make the local area a better place to live."

Contact: David Blower (Chairman, West View Community Association)
Phone: 01253 870 133

Yarl's Wood Befrienders
Yarl's Wood Befrienders was set up to provide visitors to people in Yarl's Wood Immigration Removal Centre at Clapham, near Bedford. They try to provide a Befriender for any detainee who wants someone to speak with.

The people held at Yarl's Wood include asylum-seekers who have fled from traumatic circumstances, as well as some who have overstayed their temporary permits and are detained while arrangements are made for them to be returned to their own countries.

People detained at Yarl's Wood are brought from all parts of the country so they usually have no personal contacts nearby to visit them. Many are frightened and lonely, and in need of a 'friend' to chat to. It is not the role of Befrienders to try to get detainees released, but to offer them friendship and support while they are in the Removal Centre.

Befrienders visit a particular detainee and are asked to commit to visiting for an hour a week, for as long as s/he remains in the Centre.

There is accommodation for 130 single women and 20-30 families, with up to 50 children, who are awaiting removal. In addition in May a 'fast track' wing opened with accommodation for up to 112 women. This is for dealing with new asylum-seekers and includes legal facilities for speedy processing of their claims.

Sharon Jackson from Yarl's Wood Befrienders says:

"We are thrilled that the work of voluntary visitors to immigration detainees has been recognised through the Queen's Award. The value of our work is shown in the communications we receive from the people we visit in Yarl's Wood Immigration Removal Centre."

Contact:  Sarah Gee
Ph:   01234  709113
Email :  Ywoodbefrienders@aol.com

Youth Retreat Project

Established six years ago, the Youth Retreat Project supports young people at risk of offending or becoming involved with drugs by delivering right-of-passage programmes.
 
The Group work with a number of young people in the community, training them to deliver presentations to their peers to encourage good citizenship skills and boost self esteem. They also support children in core curriculum subjects via their Homework Clubs.

Chair of Management Committee Mushirah Wilson says she is delighted about the award, “We are dedicated to helping the young people get the best from their lives and achieve their goals.”

Contacts: Ms Mushirah Wilson (Chair of the Management Committee)
Phone: 0208 808 1604

PREVIOUS PAGE