2006 Award Winners

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48th Ipswich Brownies

48th Ipswich Brownies offer fun and challenging activities, to girls aged 7-10, in the local community. The group attracts girls from a wide range of faiths, races, cultures, and circumstances. Meetings are weekly where girls can take part in activities and projects, and sometimes longer excursions are arranged.

The group was set up over twenty years ago in order to address a distinct lack of activities for girls, and was the first of its kind in the area. In this time over 150 girls have benefited, and the group currently consists of 20 girls. The volunteers run and supervise the group, and are actively committed to helping the girls achieve their full potential.

The group aims to bring enjoyment and development to young girls, equipping them with vital skills and experiences easing the transition to adulthood. The achievement is undoubted, the group has provided young girls and women in a poor area with opportunities they otherwise would not have. By working in conjunction with the local school to achieve as much as possible, the overall impact has been hugely positive for an economically challenged community.

Unsurprisingly, the group struggles to pay for activities and the financial circumstances of many of the parents make fundraising difficult, if not impossible. Furthermore transport is a problem, as many of the parents don’t have cars the group need to fund other means such as minibuses, which can be costly. The volunteers have tried to overcome this by encouraging the girls to save money themselves in order to reduce the burden on parents.

Contact: Ann Boxall
Call: 01473-728618

Accord Hospice

ACCORD Hospice is an independent charity giving free medical and nursing care to those in Renfrewshire and parts of East Renfrewshire whose illness is causing physical pain and emotional stress and for whom curative treatment may no longer be appropriate.

Accord Hospice volunteers help the medical staff care for the patients and provide support to the patients families both within the Hospice and in the community.

The volunteers are key to managing the hospice, providing a wide range of practical help to the Hospice and the 600 patients it treats every year. The Hospice volunteers help has also been crucial in helping to fundraise over £800,000 in just one year.

Contact: Jennie Durward
Call: 0141 581 2000
Website: www.accord.org.uk

Email: office@accord.org.uk

Accuro

Accuro provides respite care and other services to children and adults with a disability and their families in West Essex.  All the services supplied have been developed in response to identified local needs and volunteers play an important part in the delivery of these services. Their youth club and befriending services enable youngsters and adults to access their community whilst being supported by volunteers who in turn benefit from this relationship by understanding the problems faced by people with learning difficulties.

The services offered have a number of benefits to the children and adults who use them and to their families.  For instance, they afford opportunities to children and adults with disabilities to participate in activities that would otherwise not be available to them.  For parents our services provide an often much needed break from the additional stresses frequently associated in caring for a child with a disability.

Contact: Jill Elms or Arthur Steward  on 01371 878008      

Action for Stannington

Action for Stannington improves the quality of life for the people of Stannington through the development and provision of schemes to conserve and protect the local environment.

Fostering the notion of self-help in the community, Action for Stannington raises awareness and encourages residents to look after their neighbourhood by focusing on the "feel good" factor it creates amongst members of the community.

Some of the projects include:

• Extensive recycling facilities
• "Litter clean Up" kits distributed to keen householders and all shop keepers
• Running the Re-Use Centre where people can bring unwanted items for re-distributions to less advantaged members of the community
• Ensuring that every pub has got glass recycling bins
• Visiting schools to explain the importance of reducing, reusing and recycling
• Picking up litter or donating unwanted items for disadvantage families (the group redistribute items such as nursery equipment, toys & bicycles).

Young people, through Sheffield Youth Offending Team, spend Community Reparation Orders with volunteers, appreciating the importance of a cleaner, safer and greener neighbourhood. They enjoy the work experience and some have even continued volunteering for a while afterwards.

Action for Stannington gives all its local residents the opportunity to contribute to a better Stannington. They regard the environment as the neutral ground that brings community cohesion - shown by the wide range and social background of the group members.

Danny Piermattei, group chairman said : "Some wonder why we get a better deal in Stannington than anywhere else, until they realise we are a group of committed volunteers who choose to do something, rather than sitting and moaning. In turn our hard work produces sustainable and tangible results".

Contact: Danny Piermattei, group chairman
Call: 0114 2342559
Mobile : 07986 359969
Email: actionforstannington@yahoo.co.uk

Aik Saath

Aik Saath, meaning ‘together as one’ in Punjabi, Hindi and Urdu, is dedicated to the promotion of peace and racial harmony through the teaching of conflict resolution skills.

The group began in response to racial tensions in Slough between the Sikh, Hindu and Muslim communities in the late 1990’s. These tensions culminated in serious incidents of violence that had implications for the community as a whole and in turn created a negative image of young Asian people.

The aim of the group is to teach young people how to deal with conflict effectively and work in their community to promote peace and community cohesion. Aik Saath aims to raise self-esteem, empower and train young people to become peer trainers to work with other young people to develop their conflict resolution skills.

Breaking down barriers and building peace since February 1998, Aik Saath has worked with approximately 5000 young people. The group has launched a partnership of local organisations to monitor and respond to local incidents of racial violence and actively promote good community relations. As well as holding an annual local film festival promoting peace and understanding between communities, the group organises a national conference for organisations working in the field from all over the UK.

Despite setbacks due to lack of funding, Aik Saath’s volunteers have been dedicated to making the group an independent voluntary body. Aik Saath are making a difference in the community and are one of the leading peer led organisations in the UK at the forefront of efforts to make communities safer and more harmonious.

“We are so proud to receive this award, everyone at Aik Saath works very hard and it is not the type of work that usually receives much recognition, but we love what we do so thank you your Majesty” – Jawad Ahmed, Age 23, Volunteer with Aik Saath since 1998.  

Contact: Mandeep Kaur Sira
Call: 01753 574 780
Website: www.aiksaath.com

Amazon Young Women’s Project

Amazon Young Women's Project was set up in 1999 in response to the growing issues of crime and bullying affecting the lives of young people.

As its first initiative the Amazon Project produced an awareness raising video to support young people in need of help.  The success of the video led to a partnership with Age Concern on a project focusing on the personal safety of elderly people and a citizenship project looking at the safe disposal of discarded hypodermic syringes.

Through researching, scripting and filming the videos the group became more confident using other methods to convey their message to young people.  On a project looking at the issue of drug assisted rape and ways to get the "be safe stay safe" message over to young people, they successfully designed a website and produced information cards.

Amazon Young Women’s Project is currently working on issues to do with domestic violence and has produced a range of poetry and posters, which will be available in booklet form and distributed within the community.

Janet Holland, Youth Development Worker, said: “ This award is really important because it recognises that young people have a valuable role to play in society. These young women have given up their free time to benefit others and I am proud to have been working alongside them.”

Contact: Janet Holland
Call: Home – 01332 873730
Mobile – 0797 1146499

Backdoor Music Project

The Backdoor Music Project was set up by local residents in response to the lack of music and arts provision for young people in the Rochdale Borough. The Project provides socially excluded young people with the opportunity to take part in music events and coaching sessions, encouraging them to develop their musical skills and self esteem.

Over 300 young people are currently involved with the project, which offers both workshops and practical advice to artists and bands looking to break into music professionally. The Project also organises events throughout the year for new, unsigned bands to showcase their music. These events and workshops offer local young people the opportunity to develop their music skills and self-confidence, often performing in front of an audience for the first time. The project also offers local young people recreational provision on Friday evenings, ensuring they have somewhere to go that is both productive and engaging.

Young people are deeply involved in the project, and are able to voice their opinion through an advisory committee. This responsibility has helped to combat much of the anti social and criminal behaviour in the local area, which includes wards recognised as being in the top 10% deprived areas in the UK . Members of the advisory committee are involved in the planning and delivery of events and workshops, and are supported by a network of volunteers on the project's management committee who ensure the project is available to as many young people as possible. The Project is also working with local Councillors and the Township Council to secure a new venue in the borough.

The Project is funded entirely by donation, and volunteers work closely with local Youth Services and Connexions.

Co-ordinator Carol Moore said; ' We couldn't quite believe it when we found out we had won the Award. Everyone thinks it is a really fantastic honour for a community project such as ourselves, which is run completely by volunteers. We would like to thank everyone who has supported or been involved with the Backdoor Music Project, in particular Nasser Afzal at the Economic and Community Affairs Unit who nominated us and Beate Mielemeier, Rochdale Arts Development Office who has supported us from our early days. We are looking forward to our new venue, as are all the young people involved. Its been a lot of hard work but we will get there'.

Contact: Carol Moore
Call: 07989 085034

Barnado’s Newcastle Pyramid Scheme

In most classes there are some children who need additional help coping with life in a busy school. The Barnado’s Newcastle Pyramid Scheme approach provides support for under confident children who needs can easily be overlooked.

Barnado’s Newcastle Pyramid Scheme provides teachers, of children in years 3 and 4 with a simple emotional health checklist to identify children who may benefit from extra help. A wider group of people then consider each child’s needs to ensure that the right help is provided for those who could benefit from Barnado’s Newcastle Pyramid Scheme.

The Pyramid Clubs are specially designed to help children with greater emotional needs fulfil their potential in school and in life by building their skills and boosting their confidence. The clubs activities include arts and crafts, cooking and games, which are designed to encourage the children to have fun and boost their confidence and self-esteem. The activities are also designed to help them make friends, talk and listen to one another and come up with their own ideas about what they would like to do.

Barnado volunteers plan the creative activities for the children, lead physical activities, organise trips for the children and work with them to plan a play to which parents and teachers are invited. Many volunteers run more than one club and have their ‘favourite’ school where they volunteer year after year.

Early social and emotional problems can contribute to children’s chances of developing more severe difficulties in later life. Independent research has shown that many children who attend Pyramid Clubs become more outgoing and confident, enabling them to make friends and improve in class.

Not all children feel confident, happy and able to cope all the time, but Barnado’s Newcastle Pyramid Scheme can give that extra support these children need.

Contact: Tracy Bell
Call: 0191 2120237

Beverley Community Care Association

The Beverley Community Lift, established 35 years ago, provides an essential service to its community and is provided entirely by the community itself. For most of us, getting to a doctor's, dentist or hospital appointment presents very few problems but for the elderly or those with limited mobility, whose dependence on public transport poses a real life challenge, such visits are fraught with hazards.

The primary focus of the Beverley Community Lift is to enable elderly and disabled people to remain independent in their own homes and to give them the social contact and watchful eye that would otherwise be lacking. If Beverley Community Lift did not exist the service would have to be operated out of the public purse.

Encompassing Beverley and its surrounding villages, the charity strives to provide dedicated transport for anyone, faced with an essential journey, whose conditions prevents them travelling on foot or by public means. The other side of the coin is that it gives a mostly, retired volunteer force a sense of continued worth and purpose, and invaluable social interaction.

The current focus for the Beverley Community lift fundraising is a replacement for the blue minibus, affectionately named Bluebell, which is failing fast after years of loyal service. With a target of £30,000 for a new, wheelchair friendly bus every penny counts and that figure now becomes more achievable thanks to the generosity of this year's fundraising events - including 'tug-a-bus' competition!

Beverley Community Lift chairman, Jim Whitfield said: " We are proud and priviledged to receive this recognition of the unstinting work of our volunteers and staff, whose efforts have made Beverley Community Lift an important contribution to our towns community strength."

Contact: Trish Altoft
Call: 01482 868082
Website: www.bclift.karoo.net

The Beacon of Hope

Working closely with its local hospitals, Macmillan Nurses and health centres the Beacon of Hope charity provides immediate comfort and ongoing practical support to people with terminal and life limiting illness in Ceredigion – helping over 350 local residents in the last year.

Beacon’s dedicated staff and volunteers work in the community enabling people to live the best quality of life in the time they have left.

By doing so the Beacon of Hope is a benefit to the whole community, easing the load on the hospitals, doctors, nurses and social workers allowing them, the Beacon and other local charities to care for people in the most efficient way.

Elizabeth Murphy, founder and chair of the Beacon of Hope, said: “As a septuagenarian I have been lucky to have had many high points in my life so far – most have come about as a result of serving the community.  I have a favourite quotation that sums up my philosophy in a nutshell – “Service is the rent we pay for our room on this earth”.  If that service is further recognised by others then that is an added bonus for which I am most grateful”.

Contact:  Elizabeth Murphy
Telephone: 01970 611957
Email:  thebeaconofhope@btconnect.com
Website:  www.thebeaconofhope.com

Befriend a Child Scheme

The Befriend a Child Scheme was set up for deprived, socially isolated and victims of abuse in Aberdeen. Through the help of volunteers from within the community, disadvantaged children are matched with ‘friends’ who provide them with personal support.

The Befriend a Child Scheme aims to relieve the suffering and distress of children, helping to advance their education and give them a sense of purpose.

Volunteer ‘befrienders’ are recruited from the general public and matched on a 1:1 basis with children in the local community. By caring for and building trust with children they offer a consistent and positive adult role model, to compensate for the unstable relationships they have had with other adults.

Through the various fun activities offered to the children, Befriend a Child Scheme offers a welcome escape from the difficult and sometimes painful aspect of their lives, building self-confidence and broadening their horizons.

Befriend a Child Chief Executive, Karen Farquhar said: “We are delighted to have this recognition for the work of our volunteers.  This is the pinnacle of over 30 years work for the children of Aberdeen.  We are thrilled to receive a reward of this calibre”.

Contact: Karen Farquhar
Call: 01224 626200
Mobile: 07950792920
Email: karenmarr@btconnect.com

The Bexhill Caring Community

Celebrating its 41 st year of service, The Bexhill Caring Community (TBCC ) works closely with service organisations locally to help improve the welfare of those in need within in the Bexhill community. The charity receives no assistance from national or local government and relies solely on donations, legacies and fundraising.

TBCC was started in 1965 by the vision of one man, the late Canon Michael Townroe, then Rector of St Peter's Church, who had become aware that there were many people in Bexhill who were housebound, lonely or disabled. He called together a group of volunteers who, like himself, wanted to help with the needs of these people.

Since then many thousands of residents of Bexhill have received much needed support from TBCC; services which depends mainly on its 144 volunteers including:

• Dial-a-Ride service for people too disabled to use public transport
• The Community car service
• Library for the housebound
• Visiting and shopping service for the housebound
• Advice on welfare benefits
• And the distribution of Christmas and Harvest gifts provided by local schools and churches, which is a valuable link with the younger members of the community.

As a unique organisation, TBCC plays an absolutely vital role within the community of Bexhill. Many residents would end up in long-term hospital or residential care were it not for the volunteers from TBCC, whose support enables them to remain within their own homes.

For many people in Bexhill who are housebound the Caring Community is both a physical and psychological lifeline. It provides human contact to people who would otherwise be largely deprived of it.

TBCC Company Secretary, Cllr Keith Standring said: "In the past 41 years there have been countless people who have assisted in TBCC's service to the community of Bexhill-on-Sea. Only one person has served on its executive body from its inception and that's our Chairman for the past 21 years, Miss Myrtle Bagnall."

Miss Myrtle Bagnall said, "We were delighted when just a few days ago the incoming Town Mayor, Cllr. Eric Armstrong, announced that TBCC would be one of his two mayoral charities during 2006-7. Now TBCC has been given the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service, which is the most prestigious honour any voluntary organisation can receive. At the inception of the charity none of us dreamed it would actually exist and develop for 41 years of unbroken service. We are extremely proud and privileged to have received the Queen's Award in recognition of the tireless work of all those involved, especially the volunteers upon whom we rely totally. We now look forward to the next period of further development strengthened by this honour."

Contact: Cllr Keith Standring
Call: Home - 01424 736880
Mobile - 07811379691
Email: nirvana@gn.apc.org

Body Positive Dorset

Body Positive Dorset is an organisation that offers both emotional and practical advice. It offers support to people living with or affected by HIV and AIDS in the Dorset area. The organisation helps over 350 people, providing a place for those who have HIV with somewhere to relax, socialise and seek advice.

The Group was founded in 1986 by a group of local people whose lives had been affected by HIV and AIDS and in reaction to the minimal understanding or support available to them in the local area. They wanted to create an environment that would offer positive support and education to those affected by the disease, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, age, ethnic origin or religious belief.

Over the 20 years since then, the organisation has gone from strength to strength, securing funding for a dedicated support centre, 24-hour helpline and a range of holistic and alternative therapies to help those affected. The centre also offers counselling, peer support groups, advice clinics, regular club nights, barbeques, and a lounge area for people to meet up and socialise.

Users of the centre recognise that the centre offers a safe haven, which is both welcoming and safe from discrimination, abuse or criticism at a very difficult time in their lives. Body Positive Dorset itself has been subject to such discrimination, facing local opposition on applying for funding for the support centre. It is to the credit of the 32 volunteers who not only man and maintain the centre 5 afternoons a week and the helpline 24 hours a day, but also engage in fund raising, public relations and educational out-reach to local schools and hospitals, that Body Positive's work has since earnt the respect and recognition of the local community.

The organisation is also closely affiliated to the local GUM clinic, which encourages its patients to contact Body Positive Dorset for help and advice after they are diagnosed.

Director Barbara Heffernan said: 'Everyone at the centre could not be more delighted at being recognised for this Award. The Award recognises the hard work of all the volunteers and support staff who are or have been involved with Body Positive Dorset over the years, and is especially fitting as the organisation is celebrating its 20 th anniversary. We hope that the Award will also help to highlight the need for centres like Body Positive Dorset, and ensure that people recognise that HIV and AIDS remain issues in our society which cannot be ignored.'

Contact: Barbara Heffernan
Call: 01202 297386
Website: www.bodypositivedorset.org

Braunstone Stars and Angels

Braunstone Stars and Angels provides a voluntary community based activity for children for children from the age of four to learn to sing and perform on stage.  The group also gives the children the opportunity to perform in productions, which are put on to raise money for the local hospital, Cancer Research, British Heart Foundation and RSPCA.

As well as providing voice and performance training, it gives local children somewhere to go and something to work towards. Performing in productions in front of a large audience helps to improve the confidence of many of its members, skills that can help them in other aspects of their lives.

In the last five years the group through its fundraising has benefited many people who are less fortunate then them.

Contact: Maria Sawbridge
Call: 0116 2299727

Bulwell Credit Union Ltd

The Bulwell Credit Union provides basic financial services to people living in the north and west of Nottingham. They provide low-cost credit facilities and educate people with low incomes on ways to manage their money and open savings accounts.

The Bulwell Credit Union was registered in 1997 due to the lack of affordable financial services in the area. At the time over 4.5 million people in Britain did not have a bank account and door-to-door money lenders were preying on local people who had been denied overdraft facilities from their banks.

The union was established firstly, in the suburbs of Bulwell, and then expanded to all communities in North West Nottingham, currently benefiting over 1800 local people. The officers and volunteers of the organisation continue to forge partnerships with the private and public sectors. In 2002 the volunteers realised that in order to attract more members, they needed a professional image with premises, so they continue to raise money to make this happen.

Now that the structures are in place to provide sound financial services to local people the credit union has set up a sister organisation ‘Credits For You’ (C4U), a series of innovative training concepts aimed at young people up to 16, the low waged, unemployed and single parents. The main aim of C4U is to provide a platform for people to work towards more intensive training or paid employment.

Recently awarded Co-operative Bank Credit Union of the Year award in March 2006

Parbinder Singh, Board Secretary of Bulwell Credit Union Ltd and one of the original members who started the credit union in 1993 said: “We are extremely proud and privileged in receiving the Queen’s Award, there is great deal of excellent work carried out by all the volunteers and support staff who are or have been involved with our ‘quality’ credit union and we continue to find new ways of delivering affordable financial services in the area and we hope this award leads to many new opportunities”.

Contact: Parbinder Singh (Board Secretary)
Call: 0115 979 7770
Email: info@bulwellcreditunion.org.uk
Website: www.bulwellcreditunion.org.uk

The Calder Valley Search and Rescue Team

The Calder Valley Search and Rescue Team (CVSRT) operates as a voluntary rescue team, under the guidelines of the national organisation - The Mountain Rescue Council, and in co-operation with and under the control of West Yorkshire Police.

CVSRT was established in 1966, to provide search, rescue and recovery facilities to the communities of Calderdale, an area covering over 140 square miles, including large areas of remote and rugged countryside.

The team is skilled in the rescue and evacuation of casualties, providing a high level of first-aid and medical assistance. The team also undertake rope rescue work on crags and steep ground and provides a communication system in isolated areas. So far this year, the team has been involved in 23 call outs, including casualty evacuation from remote locations which has been directly responsible for the saving of a life.

The team as a voluntary organisation are largely self-funding and rely on charitable donations from members of the public. In addition to their training and live incident call outs, they find time not only to fundraise for themselves but also for the benefit of other local and national charities, including Macmillan Nurses, Cancer Research and The Candlelighters Children's Cancer Charity. They are also committed to educating young people and local groups and raising awareness of issues including outdoor safety, first aid, the natural beauty of the local area and the importance of conservation.

As a way of repaying the very kind public donations made, the team heavily involve themselves in Community Projects in Calder Valley , such as river cleaning, annual bonfire marshalling at Hebden Bridge , car park duties at major events, as well as stewarding duties at various athletic and cycling events.

Contact: Michael Smith
Call: 01422 373901
Mob: 07770636064
Email: micksandra@lineone.net
Website: www.cvsrt.co.uk

The Cambridgeshire Parliament 

The Parliament promotes people with disabilities as active citizens within the Cambridgeshire community. The Parliament supports a group of 24 volunteer ‘MP’s’, elected by their peers, to liaise with top professionals with the objective of improving services for the disabled.

The volunteer MP’s, who themselves have learning difficulties and some additional physical needs are elected to represent a broad spectrum of services, including day centres, group homes and social firms. The Parliament offers a chance for people with disabilities to really engage with professionals and discuss with them ways of improving the services they receive.

The Parliament’s agenda is very much set by the volunteer MPs, as they have a greater understanding of the issues and challenges facing those with disabilities. As a result it has generated an atmosphere of accountability, involvement and communication between service users and decision-makers.. The Parliament is one of the projects run by Speaking Up, a charity and social business engaged in advocacy and the empowerment of people with disabilities.

Gill Lewis, Cabinet Minister for Day Support, volunteer said: “I never used to say boo to a goose.  Look at me now.  I’ll tell the top people how we feel.” 

Ian Lyon, Parliamentary Candidate for Cambridge City, Parliament guest said: “I have learnt more today about issues for people with learning disabilities than I have in the last 10 years”

 Contact: Wendy Landsdown
Call:  01223 566258 or 07985924090
Email: wendy@speakingup.org
Website: www.speakingup.org

Cancer Link Aberdeen & North (CLAN)

CLAN was set up twenty-two years ago with the intention of providing emotional support to all those affected by cancer in North-East Scotland, Orkney and Shetland. By diverging from more conventional treatment, CLAN is wholly unique in its emphasis on treating the individual holistically, identifying and addressing roots causes.

The group aims to provide free information, support, education and therapies to anyone directly or indirectly affected by any cancer (specifically the ill, the bereaved and carers). CLAN’s dedicated force, comprising of over 130 volunteers, offers a place to relieve stress and unload fears, as well as a much-needed distractions such as classes, seminars, arts and crafts.

Through these initiatives CLAN is a source of hope and encouragement where there might otherwise be nowhere to turn. To understand just what CLAN has achieved one needs only talk to a client or relative who has benefited from the wide range of services. Indeed, the organisation receives an impressive volume of glowing feedback, and manages to attract the required donations enabling its continued good work. Furthermore, in the past 12 months there have been nearly 8,000 visits to the centre, and telephone and email services have enabled the group to help a further 272 people. This said, CLAN does not rely on past achievements, and is always striving for innovative ways to improve their service.

Unfortunately CLAN has suffered from problems of funding in recent years due to increasing demands that are straining the charity’s resources. In order to raise awareness of the charity and the extent of its work, CLAN is currently looking to increase its profile through a range of promotional strategies throughout the region.
 
Contact: Mrs. Debbie Thompson
Call: 01224-647000

Website: www.clanhouse.org

Canterbury and District Recorder

Canterbury and District Recorder are a talking newspaper for the visually impaired and print handicapped. Each week they send out a cassette with all the local news free of charge.

Canterbury and District Recorder is an independent organisation that was founded almost 30 years ago by Dennis Eldridge who was blind and became aware of the needs of others after his wife recorded the local news for him. There was nothing available at this time so it became his vision to provide a recorded local news service to others.

The group is made up of dedicated volunteers who meet to read and record different parts of the Kentish Gazette (Canterbury and District Edition). The recorder tapes keep people in touch with local news and information, including details of road closures, bus routes and train times.

Canterbury and District Recorder faced a difficult obstacle last year when the founder Dennis Eldridge tragically died after losing his balance and falling down a flight of stairs, sadly just before he was due to receive an MBE (Member of the British Empire). However the helpers have carried on the good work as a tribute to him and are determined to move the organisation forward by continuing to provide an exceptional service to the blind, handicapped and disabled people of the community in his memory.

Jane Handley, secretary Canterbury District Recorder said: “My personal involvement came when my father had a serious stroke and was unable to handle a newspaper and missed keeping up with local events. I work at the Kentish Gazette and came to know the volunteers from the Canterbury and District Recorder who collected the newspaper every week. They needed a secretary and I somehow found myself doing the job. When we found ourselves without a studio, The Kent Messenger Group came to our rescue and provided us with a purpose built studio in Canterbury.”

Contact: Jane Handley
Call: 01227 713 632
Work: 01227 768 181
Email: luboo@fsmail.net

The Chalke Valley Link Scheme

The Chalke Valley Link Scheme operates in Chalke Valley and the surrounding villages, providing care, support and transport to older people. Volunteers give up their time to ensure elderly local residents can continue to live independently by transporting them to medical appointments, the post office and helping them collect shopping.

The scheme was set up in response to the decline in local services in the area, as village shops, post offices and doctor's surgeries closed, meaning local elderly residents found it increasing difficult to reach key services. The volunteers developed the scheme to help these elderly reach these services, taking over 650 calls in just one year.

During the ten years the scheme has been running, the service has helped bring local people together and enabled older people to stay in their homes for longer than otherwise would be possible. The scheme also draws the villages together through its fund raising activities, such as a recent concert that villagers of all ages attended and supported. The scheme's ability to foster this strong sense of community spirit has also encouraged new recruits to the scheme, with 88 volunteer now involved in the scheme.

Contact: Tristram Sykes
Call: 01722 780443

Chance UK

Chance UK provides an early and transforming intervention in the lives of vulnerable children with behavioural difficulties by providing specific and targeted solution focused mentoring for children aged 5-11 years.

Through the programme children are matched with adult volunteer mentors who work with them for a period of a year. The goal-orientated programme enables children to bring about changes in their behaviour, raise their self-esteem and develop new skills that help their lives.

Working with 100 children and parents in Hackney and Islington and 20 children through the Junior Turning Point scheme in Northern Ireland, Chance UK volunteers are a positive intervention into the lives of children who know so much negativity in their lives. They take on children and families that have been written off by other agencies and bring about dramatic changes to their lives.
 
Contact: Gracia McGrath
Call: 0207 281 5858
Website: www.chanceuk.com

Children with Special Needs Foundation

The Children with Special Needs Foundation supports children and their parents by offering equipment, holidays, tuition and essential care for children with special needs. Working with social workers, doctors and head teachers across the South East, the Foundation has raised funds to give children with special needs self-confidence and independence by responding to their needs.

Mayor and Mayoress of Surrey Heath, Gordon and Ann Parris, identified a need to support children with special needs in the local community and set up the foundation in 1995. Recognising that the parents of children with special needs needed a charity which could not only offer them financial support, but would help to integrate them and their children in to the local community, they set out to help provide funding for both the specialist equipment and leisure opportunities the families so badly needed.

In the 10 years since its inception, the Foundation has provided thousands of pounds worth of equipment for individuals, schools, special needs groups, children's hospitals and hospices. Supplying equipment ranging from snooker tables to swimming pools, the Foundation has raised funding to ensure that children with special needs have access to the equipment they desperately need. Committee members make a special effort to visit parents to ascertain their children's requirements and also to discuss the problems facing their children and the options available to them.

In addition to supplying equipment, the Foundation also funds days out and trips for families., Last year over 1,500 parents and their children attended a pantomime courtesy of the Foundation as well as over 600 children having fun at the fair at Frimley Lodge Park . The Foundation also raises funds and organises holidays both in the UK , Europe and the USA , offering much needed respite and relaxation. The Foundation also owns two 8-berth mobile homes in Pagham, Bognor Regis, where children and their parents can spend time and have fun.

Founders Gordon and Ann Parris said: ' We think it is absolutely marvellous that the Foundation has received this award. Our trustees, patrons and committee members feel privileged to have even been considered for the award, so to win is really special to us. We would also like to thank the local businesses and individuals who have supported the Foundation, without who there would not have been a charity in the first place'

Contact: Gordon Parris
Call: 07776 256802 / 01276 856216
Website: www.childrenwithspecialneeds.co.uk/

Cricket for people with Disability (CFPD)

Cricket for people with Disability (CFPD) was set up and is run by twin brothers Fred and Dick Wildgoose to meet the needs of people of all ages and abilities to engage in sporting activity.

For over five years they have organised the Rotary District Disabled Games, now attracting over 250 participants from all over the country. Many of the contestants in the games also seek to take part in day-long cricket sessions run by the Wildgoose brothers. The twins fundraise tirelessly for the CFPD, organising special events and assisting with bag packing at supermarket tills in return for donations.

Originally a local initiative, the activities of the group have inspired other volunteers at regional and national levels to support the aims and objectives of the CFPD.  Sessions held by the brothers in the local leisure centre and cricket club have enabled people with disabilities to play cricket at Lords and even to take part in a tour of India with ‘tests’ between the disabled players of both countries.

In recognition of the work of CFPD, Dick Wildgoose was awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship by the Rotary Club of Owestry, which is the highest honour a Club can bestow. To further encourage participation of disabled people in cricket, the brothers have also produced a book, Cricket the Wildgoose Way - Management Strategy for Mixed Disability Cricket, which is freely available to interested groups and teams. The book provides a guide to setting up and running cricket for the disabled.

David Crowhurst, the Vicar of Owestry, said:

“Fred and Dick put in many hours organisationally and with the practical running of these games, as well as spearheading the necessary funding. The reward has been the participation of (sometimes extremely) handicapped people to participate fully in cricket and other sporting activities, bring them the experience of achievement, both as individuals and in teams. I am glad to be able to support and commend this nomination.”

Contact: Fred Wildgoose
Call: 01691 661 341
Email: fred@wildgoose.org

Crowborough Vale Drama Group

Since 1955, the Crowborough Vale Drama Group has been supporting the local community by raising funds to buy equipment for good causes and charities. Every year, the Group stages an 'Annual Review' which the group both fund and produce. Volunteers write scripts, make costumes and design and build sets, and the Review has become a central part of the community's calendar, will tickets selling out every year.

Throughout the year, revenue is raised to fund the Group's activities through jumble sales, a summer barbeque and Halloween Barndance. As well as raising money to put on the show, the volunteers also provide free entertainment for the Crowsborough War Memorial Hospital and the Hookstead Day Care Centre; engaging young people in the local area who often participate. The Group has also been invited to perform at HMP Dartmoor and on BBC Radio Sussex. Volunteers also appear every year in the Crowborough Carnival - last year appearing as the Calendar Girls!

The Group donate all the profits from the Review to local good causes and it is this benevolence that has earnt the Group admiration and respect from local residents. The Groups success has meant that for over 20 years the Group has been able to give grants to local causes, including the Crowborough Stroke Club, St John's Ambulance, Crowborough Day Care Centre and the Cystic Fibrosis Group.

Group Co-ordinator Pauline Lavington said: 'We are over the moon to have won this award. We were honoured to have even been nominated, so to win is unexpected and everyone in the Group is delighted.'

Contact: Pauline Lavington
Call: 01892 663436

Cuckmere Community Bus

The Cuckmere Community Bus service offers local residents who do not have access to a car, together with a large number of visitors to the area, an efficient, reliable and competitively priced friendly local amenity. The buses have become a feature of local life, also providing, when required, a bespoke service to support local events where the use of private transport is discouraged.

The service has been running since 1975 and is supported by the County Council. The group who run it,  comprising of male and female volunteers, has flourished over almost 30 years into a locally controlled social enterprise focused on providing a service to the 15 rural communities. The buses have developed an enviable reputation for friendly an efficient service, even beating the professional bus operators to win the first ever ‘Buses for Pleasure’ award in the Bus Industry Awards presentation in 2000.   

This service is operated entirely by and for the benefit of the local community. The Cuckmere Community Bus members have a deep desire to offer a much needed amenity and invaluable service to residents and visitors.

Contact: Beryl Smith
Call: 01323 870032

Website: www.cuckmerebus.freeuk.com

The Deeping Men’s Group

The Deeping Men’s Group raises funds to buy and then loan wheelchairs and other medical equipment free of charge to all who live within the Deepings Health Centre catchment area.

The group was set up 50 years ago as a means for people of the area to have social contact  and raise money for charity. Charity officers were appointed and it was decided to purchase wheelchairs with the money they raised.

The volunteers contribute to raising funds, purchasing and maintaining equipment, running the service 7 days a week and helping people in need.
 
Contact: Michael Moss
Call: 01778 342037

Disability Awareness Day

Disability Awareness Day (DAD) is run by volunteers to highlight the wide range of services and support available from statutory, private, and voluntary sector organisations. The main theme of DAD is to promote independent throughout life and work. Last years DAD attracted 300 exhibitors and 24,000 people, the main event was supported by a week of complimentary events.

The volunteers behind DAD, felt there was a need for an event which focused on providing information on local support groups, services, equipment, holidays, benefits, concessions and much more for disabled people. The event also offers a chance to try out sports and arts activities, catering for all levels of interest and ability, including competitors, recreational and social interests.

The annual event has now become Europe’s largest (voluntary led) disability event, which has encouraged and empowered other like minded people to establish similar events across the UK, Europe and USA.

Dave Thompson MBE, Event Co-ordinator said: “this award is in recognition to the hundreds of people who have volunteered their support in making a vision into a reality, some of our volunteers arrive on the day, others are involved on a daily basis dealing with the administration and co-ordination, and a small team take a weeks annual leave to help setup the exhibition ground. We all have something in common, we do it because we know it helps to make a difference”.

Contact: David Thompson MBE
Call: 01925 664064
Website: disabilityawarenessday.co.uk

Donna’s Dream House

Donna’s Dream House provides free holidays in Blackpool throughout the year for terminally ill children and their families also offering a separate bereavement support service at the Snowdrop Centre.

The chairman, his wife and his family started up Donnas Dream House soon after their daughter died at the age of 20 from cancer. Now they have over 400 people staying at Donna’s Dream House each year and more than 170 local  people have sought support at the Snowdrop Centre.

The children who come to Donna’s Dream House are too ill to go abroad, and so for a shor time families have the opportunity to enjoy a final holiday with their children. Thanks to the dedication and hard work of many local volunteers and people doing community service, the charity transformed a derelict building into a haven for children and their families. With the magnificent playroom and the four themed apartments Donna’s Dream House brings a sense of fun into children’s lives.

Initially the charity faced problems with the local community because of the involvement of community offenders and the unknown unique work that the charity set out to do. To help overcome this problem they set up a forum for the local community to express their views and experience the centre allowing them to see the benefits of the offender’s work and enjoyment to the families.

The charity is now in the process of renovating a second dwelling to provide free holidays for terminally ill teenagers and their families.

Len Curtis, chairman Donna’s Dream House Said: “Winning the Queen’s Award is an honour  and testament to the numerous volunteers who contributed to make our special children’s Donna’s Dream House come true. Watch this space for the announcement of the “The Ultimate Dream”.

Contact: Len Curtis
Call: 01253 752 222
Website: www.donnasdreamhouse.org
Email: lencurtis@btconnect.com

Down’s Syndrome Association Northern Ireland

Down’s Syndrome Association Northern Ireland provides support for people with Down’s Syndrome, their families and carers. The support ranges from organising holidays and ‘fun days’, awareness events and other educational events addressing all aspects of the syndrome.

The group facilitates bringing people together who are affected by the syndrome and the local health and social services bodies.  The ‘New Parent’ weekend scheme introduces families who have recently had a baby with Down Syndrome to the services and therapists who will be involved in the care and development of their new babies. 

The group also disseminates information to people affected by the syndrome, providing valuable advice. As well as supporting the parents, the volunteers give up a week of their time to take teenagers on holiday to assist a children’s holiday at the Shore Centre. The volunteers join in all the activities and where necessary help with personal care ensuring the holidays is enjoyable to all.

Contact: Tracey Falls
Call: 02890 704606
Website: www.downs-syndrone.org

Earthworks

Earthworks provides training and work experience in gardening, horticulture, conservation and construction for local people who have mental health issue and learning difficulties.

The group was set up 10 years ago as hospitals for learning disabled patients were closing. Earthworks recognised the lack of care in the community and established a group of people of all abilities learning and working together.

At the core of Earthworks is their enthusiasm and commitment to create something valuable for the whole community and environment. The aim is to help achieve employment through the development of new skills, gain self confidence and get involved in worthwhile projects.

Earthworks creates a community focus caring for people and the environment.

Contact: Ann de Bock
Call: 01727 847 311
Website: www.earthworksstalbans.co.uk

Firthmoor and District Community Association

Firthmoor and District Community Association was set up 28 years ago to run the estate’s community centre. In the past 8 years the group has worked tirelessly to benefit  local residents. Following a survey to find out what changes people wanted to see in their area and what the main issues concerning them were. Fear of crime, poor facilities for young people, low educational attainment and antisocial behaviour were highlighted as the main issue for residents.

The Firthmoor estate was one of the worst run down areas in Darlington but the group, working in partnership with a number of agencies has transformed the area. It now has a low crime rate and health and educational attainment are improving. They have turned their estate into an area where people want to live.

Through their efforts there is now a new community centre complete with gold award healthy eating café, health and education facilities, personal development work, help with employment issues, advice centre, playgroup  and Children’s Centre.
Environmental improvements include fishing ponds, nature reserve, doorstep green, traffic calming and many refurbished council homes.

Firthmoor and District Community Association has successfully engaged in major fundraising to develop a new community centre and is ensuring its sustainability through creative and responsible management practice.

Contact: Dave Preston 
Call: 01325 462979

Folkestone Migrant Support Group

Folkestone Migrant Support Group provides facilities to relieve poverty and distress amongst refugees, asylum seekers and migrants in the Folkestone area.

Folkestone Migrant Support Group was set up in 1991, in response to needs following the Bosnian and Kosovo wars. It became a registered charity in 2001 when increased asylum seekers began to challenge local services.

The aims of the charity are to advance the education of the public to the needs of refugees, asylum seekers and migrants, by stimulating community spirit and networking with other relevant agencies.

The group is faced with various difficulties and resistance from the local community, including threatening mail and violent conflict between groups. But they have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to breakdown the prejudices. The group has encouraged schools and medical institutes to accept non-English speakers, enabled children from many different countries to access education from pre-school onwards and supported adult learners. By supporting individuals and groups who provide language teaching and translation, the group strives to enable migrants to assimilate into the community.

All the volunteers involved give time, skills and possessions to people that others ignore and in turn the settled families are now helping to run groups and activities themselves to break down barriers.

Contact: Rosemary Siebert
Mobile: 077 633 30113

Forest Fitness Centre

Forest Fitness Centre provides health education and rehabilitation exercises for its local elderly and disabled residents. Through corrective and therapeutic work, the volunteers help elderly, disabled and impaired people to improve the quality of their lives. 

The centre began as a very small fitness club 24 years ago and has expanded enormously over the past 20 years. It was initially established for young people to exercise. As the volunteers became better qualified in aspects of corrective and therapeutic work, the centre grew into a vital organisation in the area and is used daily by people of all ages and abilities.

Following the closure of Forest Fitness Centre’s original community site, efforts to obtain financial support were increased and lottery funding was finally secured in 1997. Forest Fitness centre now has a registered client base of 2000 people with weekly visits of around 900 per week. Over 350 of them are people with medical conditions, disabilities or special needs.

The centre continues to share community benefits and training experiences, support the local community health centres and physiotherapy units in their work, whilst empowering local communities to become volunteers.

Alan Elliot, Fitness First Centre: “We are very privileged to be honoured with the Queen’s Award. The centre is unique and this award is for everyone connected with it.”

Contact: Alan Elliott
Call: 01594 826979

Four Groves Community Association

Four Groves Community Association, works in an area of mainly council housing within the Risedale ward, which is in the top 10% of deprived areas in the country. Originally set up to tackle the deterioration in the community spirit and the local environment, the association now also works to promote and enable many other community-based projects.

During the five years it has been running, the group has grown and expanded within the area and now works closely with the local authority, police and other agencies, which allows it to offer a wider range of services to the community. The association has not only help increased people's pride in their local community, it has also promoted a feeling that something can be done to improve your local environment.

The association worked hard to establish itself in the community, and was initially faced with scepticism from many of the local residents. However the good intentions and hard work of the volunteers has helped to create a positive feeling of cohesion and pride amongst the wider community.

Contact: Pauline Charnley
Call: 01229 821210

Friends for Friends 1:1 Club

Friends for Friends 1:1 Club is an integrated club for people with learning disabilities and their volunteer friends, offering them the opportunity to participate in a range of social activities of their choice.

The group was formed from a church initiative in the 1980s at a time when many long-stay mental hospitals were subject to closure and people with learning disabilities were being moved to smaller community homes. This upheaval caused much distress in their lives and the local community realised that something needed to be done.

A few church members started visiting one such residential home almost 20 years ago, and this led to outings such a cinema, theatre, boat trips and as the numbers grew it became necessary to find a venue where volunteers could meet up with their friends and enjoy a social life together. St John Fisher Parish Church offers the free use of its church hall facilities, which has enabled the club to continue to be one of the most popular clubs in the diaries of its friends with learning disabilities and their volunteer friends. 

The young people and adults with learning disabilities, who have been attending for many years, now sit on the organising committee and take over the duties involved in running the club which were previously handled by its volunteers. The club, which started off to support them, is now truly their very own as they take on more responsibilities and ensure that it continues to meet their needs.

Archie Shah,Administrator & Marketing Officer said: "Cloning is a controversial subject but if there were ever justification for cloning human beings it would be for the wonderful team of volunteers who run the Friends for Friends 1:1 Club"

Contact: Sheila O’Brien
Website: www.linkup.org.uk
Call: 0208 723 11358 or 0208 868 5808

Friends of the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital

The Friends of the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital was established 40 years ago to support the work of The Royal Shrewsbury Hospital by raising money to provide them with the most up to date equipment and modern facilities to help relieve sick, disabled and handicapped patients. Over the years the Friends have raised considerable funds for the hospital and given gifts totalling over  £4million.

The group also runs a service providing refreshments and a warm welcome for patients and relatives using the four hospital shops and cafes run by 250 volunteers, which are spread over the site.

The hospital is based in a rural area, with many patients and visitors facing long journeys to reach the hospital and volunteers endeavour to give them a warm, friendly welcome.

Contact:  Norman Porter
Call: 01743 261007
Fax: 01743 261009
E-Mail: Friends@rsh.nhs.uk

Friends of Wombwell Cemetery

Friends of Wombwell Cemetery works to preserve the Wombwell Cemetery , helping to make it a place of peace and reflection for the bereaved.

The Friends, following a mugging incident at the cemetery have also taken on the responsibility to protect the area from vandalisms and any future incidents of crime. 'Cemetery Watch' is an integral part of the Barnsley Neighbourhood Watch Liaison Group, which is affiliated to the National Organisation. They work closely with the local Crime and Reduction partnership in Barnsley and the Bereavement service.

The volunteers who make up the Friends of Wombwell Cemetery have, through their hard work and dedication to preserve the cemetery, exceeded community expectations. The result has been that more residents to visit the cemetery more often to tend family graves. Improvements to the appearance of the cemetery have included restoring a statue that had fallen over many years ago, and updating the historical records to compile a computerised database of the plots in the cemetery.

This group has had a positive effect on young people within the area and have re-introduced a sense of community spirit. Friends of Wombwell Cemetery have made the cemetery a safer and more pleasant place for residents.

Friend of Wombwell Cemetary, Joy Bretton said: "If we were amazed and excited at being nominated for the Queen's Award, we were absolutely overwhelmed with joy and delight. If ever volunteers needed an incentive to carry on volunteering then surely this award is it."

Contact: Mike Bretton
Call: 01226 211595
Mobile : 0781 636 3864

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