2006 Award Winners
Sailing for the Disabled
Sailing for the Disabled Charity in the Isle of Man has over 100 members which does not include the young people with learning disabilities from schools and adults in special needs units. The later forming a high proportion of our activity during the summer months. The charity is proud to have a 46foot, 8 berth Bavaria "Pride of Mann II" yacht, which is moored in Douglas harbour. It has some adaptations which include a sling hoist for wheel chair users, harness points and grab handles for the disabled.
Sailing is a core part of the Isle of Man’s culture and history. The Charity provides programmes that allow both able and disabled members the opportunity to learn sailing skills such as crewing, navigating and rope work. The Charity is dedicated to encouraging disabled sailors to be as independent as possible, raising participants self esteem and confidence on the water. Many of the sailors who become involved progress to RYA skipper level sailing. Participants say that being able to sail and take part with able bodied people on an equal footing gives them an enormous sense of satisfaction and achievement.
Volunteers are responsible for all aspects of the scheme, organising training, dealing with administration and securing sponsorship. Volunteers undergo professional training in partnership with the RYA Sailability scheme, and are able to deal with a wide range of difficulties that a disabled person may experience whilst sailing.
The Charity is continually looking for new members, both for sailing and fund raising plus Corporate and individual sponsorship. The Charity is completely self funding, having no paid officers or administrators.
Contact:
Alan Cope (Chairman)
01624 812121
Email: acope@mcb.net
Marion Bolam (Public Relations)
01624 812121
Email: acmarion@mcb.net
Sangam - Association of Asian Women
Sangam – Association of Asian Women is a not-for-profit organisation founded, funded and managed by Asian Women. The group provides information, advice and support to the local and adjoining borough community. They also run a number of activities for the local communities including an advice centre, a senior citizens club, youth education and a Well Woman’s Clinic, which are all managed by the volunteers.
The association began in 1971, as a result of the influx of immigrants from South East Asia in the sixties. The lack of proficiency in the language and a lack of understanding of the system left many Asian women feeling helpless and alone. However the establishment of Sangam provided these women with a support network and activities to help these women socialise and integrate into their new society. Through the continued commitment and hard work of the volunteers the group has continued to grow and expand helping over 6,000 local in people in just one year.
The group is a non-religious, non-political, charitable organisation open to and a benefit to all people in the local community.
Krishna Pujara
Development Manager
Tel: 020 8952 7062
www.sangamcentre.org.uk
Shanklin Voluntary Youth and Community Centre
Shanklin Voluntary and Community Centre provides a comprehensive programme of activity for the youth and community of South Wight in a welcoming and secure environment.
The centre was set up in 1963 in response to the lack of youth clubs in the town. Many of the volunteers have been involved for 30 years and have diligently fundraised to buy the building.
The facility is used by over 500 people each week, running projects and housing several sports groups for many disabled youths and those with learning disabilities, who are also encouraged to help run the centre.
The centre does not receive any funding from the local authority and has fundraised through fairs, day events, cycling and running competitions on the island to raise money. This has enabled the centre to become fully accessible and provide activities and training for young people. The centre promotes independence and empowerment for both volunteers and young people.
Contact: Richard Priest
Call: 01983 867 450
Mobile: 07919 323 838
Shpresa Programme
Shpresa Programme is a community led organisation that works with the Albanian speaking community (refugees, asylum seekers and migrants from Albania, Kosovo, Macedonia and Montenegro) to enable them to settle and fully participate in society, gain confidence and make progress in their lives.
The Shpresa Programme started with one dedicated volunteer in 2000, it now has four full time staff, three part time staff and 32 active volunteers. Over the three years they have expanded their services into three boroughs - Newham, Redbridge and Barking & Dagenham - and are currently looking to expand into Wood Green, Walthamstow and Vauxhall.
The programmes’ volunteers play an active role in the running of the organisation, development of its services and management of the group. The programme has been successful at mobilising people within its community, overcoming prejudice and suspicion to engage high numbers of people both as users and as volunteers.
Contact: Luljeta Nuzi
Call: 0208 9118973
Email: shpresaprogramme@yahoo.co.uk
Website: www.shpresaprogramme.com
The Sikh Nari Women's Group
The Sikh Nari Women's Group promotes community cohesion and religious tolerance by organising open interfaith events such as interfaith mother's day and interfaith lunches for the elderly. The group also organises a broad mix of educational, social and recreational activities for example an all female choir which regularly performs in front of local and national audiences.
The group has encouraged isolated Asian women to socialise and integrated within the local community, many of whom are now accessing mainstream services, which they otherwise would not have done. The group has done this by establishing services almost on the doorstep of these communities, reducing the need to travel to access the nearest similar provision in neighbouring Handsworth.
The group also produces bilingual resources for a variety of different usages such as within local schools but which, particularly enables second and third generation Sikh youths to develop an appreciation of their cultural identity and heritage.
The volunteers give their time for free to run fundraising stalls, to help transport other volunteers and equipment to local community venues, cook and provide meals on a rota basis for all attendees at monthly social events, as well as organise and run activities during annual events such as Mother's Day and Diwali Festival.
Contact: Gurdev Kaur
Contact: 0121 351 5191
Website: www.sikhnarimanch.com
Silverdale First Responders
Silverdale First Responders are volunteers who offer support to the emergency services in Silverdale, a remote community on the Lancashire/ Cumbria boarder. The service is manned 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year by volunteers who are trained in basic life support, CPR and administering oxygen until an ambulance arrives.
The scheme was set up five years ago by paramedics in response to the fact that 999 calls had to wait up to 30 minutes for an ambulance to arrive. First Responders volunteers arrive at the scene in an average of just 6 minutes which reduces the stress, trauma and threat to the patient’s life significantly. All volunteers are trained by the Ambulance Service, and have to pass a six-month accreditation test coordinated by a paramedic trainer.
The 23 volunteers, who run the scheme, live in the village and carry pagers for 12-hour shifts on a set rota and are paged by the Ambulance Service when a 999 call is reported. Two volunteers are always on duty and call into the local ambulance headquarters to inform them of their expected time of arrival with a patient. Once a First Responder arrives at a scene, patients are usually given oxygen therapy and a medical history and symptoms are taken and then passed to the paramedics when they arrive. First Responders will also organise a patient’s medication, night bag, notify any relatives or neighbours, rehouse any pets and lock up the premises.
The First Responders are a highly valued service by the community, many of whom are elderly and live alone. The service receives a great deal of its funding from local people, who recognise the lifeline that the scheme offers.
Contact: Sheila Suthers
Call: 07958 637292 / 01524 702 533
South Bucks RDA Group
The South Bucks RDA gives children, young people and adults with disabilities and learning difficulties the opportunity to learn to horse ride. The RDA has been operating for over 40 years, and has helped thousands of young people build their self-confidence and improve their concentration through learning a new skill. Currently 150 adults and young people are enrolled on courses at the centre, which offers riding lessons seven days a week.
Every individual who comes to the RDA is set goals to achieve, and the volunteers at the centre work tirelessly to ensure that they not only reach their targets, but that their achievements are recognised. Riders are rewarded with certificates and regular mentions in the RDA’s newsletter, which spur them on to achieve even more.
The volunteers who work at the centre give up many hours of their free time to support riders, helping them to achieve their goals. Volunteers come from all walks of life, and work in a variety of occupations, including physiotherapy, speech therapy, the media and industry, yet all still commit both their time and professional skills to the Association. The level of teaching is second to none, and volunteers receive a high level of training to ensure that they can encourage riders to achieve their full potential.
Through the dedication of the volunteers and two paid staff, the centre has become a centre of excellence for both therapeutic riding and for training disabled riders for top level competitions – the centre recently sent riders to Athens to compete in the 2004 Paralympics and the 2005 European Championships.
Diane Redfern, South Bucks RDA Group: ‘It is a real honour and privilege to be recognised for this award. It is a great credit to all the volunteers who have supported South Bucks RDA and made it what it is today.’
Contact: Diane Redfern
Call: 01753 662211
Website: www.southbucksrda.org
South Norfolk Youth Symphonic Band
South Norfolk Youth Symphonic Band (SNYSB) promotes musical skills and creates a platform for young musicians to perform in public, educating them and the wider community about the art and science of music, whilst raising money for groups and charities.
Chairman Michael Booty formed the South Norfolk Youth Symphonic Band (SNYSB) in 1974. The band was originally set up to support the local ATC group for marching events but within a few months the SNYSB was formed to cater for both male and female musicians. The band caters for children and young people aged between 8-23 years and was formed on the premise that many young people lose interest in music because they have to practice and take exams. The South Norfolk Youth Symphonic Band aims to advance and encourage the education of children and young people in the theory, practice and performance of music.
The band run training courses each year, which includes a residential weekend with professional musicians tutoring the student. It offers a safe and social environment for young people to come together and perform music and encourages and provides a route for young people to explore a career in professional music.
Musical Director and Founder, Mike Booty, said:
"This is a great honour for all members, past and present of The South Norfolk Youth Symphonic Band, and recognises all the tremendous efforts that the band has put into the community over the last 32 years. It is a credit to everybody, not only playing members, but parents, friends and supporters, who must number thousands over the years. This band has influenced many young musicians to give something back into the community and retain a skill for later life".
Contact: Michael Booty
Call: 01379 641580
Website: www.snysb.org.uk
Southwater Community Police Office
For over ten years local residents in Southwater have been volunteering to help man their local police office and provide a visible, reassuring and highly valued link between the local community and the Police. Set up in 1996 following a campaign by local Neighbourhood Watch volunteers to replace the village police house, which closed in the 1980’s, the Southwater Community Police Office forms a vital part of the local community providing an excellent service to all residents in the village.
Volunteers’ deal with enquires and reports from a wide range of local people. Between January 2004 and January 2005 alone the office dealt with 798 incidents, 85% of which were resolved without Police involvement. Volunteers have been trained by the local Police force to deal with incidents that range from anti-social behaviour to road traffic accidents, and also offer support to crime prevention initiatives and schemes in the village. The volunteers have also been faced with more unexpected duties such as mounting a full-scale evacuation of local businesses and doctor’s surgery after a member of the public brought an unexploded WWI artillery shell found on farmland in to the Office, which was later safely detonated by the Army.
Volunteers give up their own time to ensure that this service is available to the local community, opening the office five days a week and on Saturday mornings. This dedication has won the volunteers respect from both the local Police and Council, who see the Office as an important support mechanism to their work in the local community. The success of the Office has also encouraged other communities to request information on to how to set up an Office in their area.
Dr David Scott at the Southwater Community Police Office
23 Wilmington Way,
Patcham
Brighton
East Sussex, BN1 8JH
(01273 276690/ 07816 938858)
Spelthorne Civic Pride Volunteers
Spelthorne Civic Pride Volunteers help Spelthorne residents become actively involved in community environmental improvement projects, promoting the overall well-being of the Borough.
Spelthorne Civic Pride Volunteers was set up 15 years ago when the Metropolitan Police approached the Crime Prevention panel for help with an anti-litter initiative with local youth groups. Since then they have been working in harmony with Spelthorne Borough Council to involve every section of the community, from schools and churches to youth groups and residents associations.
Despite continually struggling against vandalism in the location of several of their projects, Spelthorne Civic Pride Volunteers have successfully completed numerous nature conservation projects, including coordinating the entire borough’s efforts to plant 250,000 daffodils and crocus bulbs over the past ten years. They have planted over 1000 trees and 5300 shrubs in parks, open spaces, streets and footpaths. Spelthorne Civic Pride Volunteers has helped to enhance the environment and improved the quality of life for all the residents.
Jill Stephens, Spelthorne Civic Pride Volunteers said: “We are honoured and delighted that the work of thousands of Spelthorne residents has been recognised by this wonderful Award.”
Contact: Jill Stephens
Call: 01932 829460
Stonebridge Older Person’s Forum
Stonebridge Older Person’s Forum aims to advance the interests of people over the age of 60 years in the Stonebridge area and meet the social and health needs of a progressively increasing number of elderly people who might otherwise face social exclusion.
Encouraging as many people as possible to take part, the forum aims to provide and improve access to services and benefits, which are not otherwise available to the elderly local residents.
Through its broad and expanding range of activities, the Forum plays a vital role in empowering older people to become involved in their local community, take on leadership roles, create friendships, learn new skills and develop knowledge about how to access services and share experiences.
With growing pressure on the NHS, the Forum serves as a preventative tool to the poor health that so often results from social isolation. In addition, the development of close and effective partnerships working with other local initiatives, including Healthy Harlesden and Age Concern Brent, ensure that issues relating to health inequalities and health promotion are tackled from a broad base to improve the overall well-being of the elderly in a holistic way.
The Forum is supported by Hillside Housing Trust and Stonebridge HAT.
Contact: Ann Butler
Call: 0208 961 1563
St Paul's Family Meeting Place, Child Contact Centre
St Paul's Family Meeting Place, Child Contact Centre provides a friendly and safe environment for separated or divorced families to ensure that children are able to maintain regular contact with a parent or grandparent. The centre supports over 250 family contact sessions every year, providing supported contact for both children and their often-estranged parents, offering a neutral space to avoid conflict and confrontation developing.
The centre's success is widely attributed to the dedication and attitude of the 28 volunteers who work at the centre, giving support and guidance to families at breaking point.
Families who use the centre come from all backgrounds, and the centre provides a non-threatening, neutral place for children to see a parent they otherwise would have little or no contact with. The centre offers three hour sessions twice a month on Saturday afternoons, acting as a place for parents to meet with their children in organised contact sessions and as drop off / handover point to ensure each parent has regular access to their child.
The volunteers who work at the centre are experienced and trained to deal with any issues that may arise. Visits can often be stressful for parents, and volunteers offer support to both the main carer and the estranged parent. Volunteers also have to adhere to The National Association of Child Contact Centres regulations and standards and submit paperwork on a regular basis, and it is testament to their dedication that this is completed to a high standard.
Coordinator Ann Baker said: 'We are absolutely thrilled to have been given this award. Voluntary work so often goes unnoticed, and so for us to be recognised and for our work to be appreciated and valued is a real honour. The Centre would like to thank all the volunteers who give up their time to serve the community, without who the Centre would not be able to facilitate meetings to such a professional standard, and St Paul's Church, who have supported and encouraged us from beginning.'
Contact: Ann Baker
Call: 01344 303960
Suffolk Hearing Support Service
Suffolk Hearing Support Service provides routine maintenance of NHS hearing aids on a one-to-one basis in client’s homes and advice centres. The group offer practical and emotional support to clients, encouraging people to be in control of their hearing loss.
Suffolk Hearing Support Service was originally set up to meet a growing need within the community. Many people who are issued with hearing aids are elderly and cannot easily attend hospitals for their batteries and routine maintenance of their hearing aids.
Suffolk Hearing Support Service also provide hearing clinics throughout the county, demonstrating and offering advice regarding assistive equipment to help them hear more clearly. A fitting service is also available.
Marie Waller, manager, Suffolk Hearing Support Service said “Our long serving and tireless volunteers are delighted to be recognised for their dedicated efforts given so generously over many years. This is a true honour.”
Contact: Marie Waller
Telephone: 01473 583561
Sutton Seniors' Forum
The Sutton Seniors’ Forum (SSF) aims to promote the welfare and interests of the senior citizens in the London Borough Sutton, by providing a platform where matters of concern the elderly can be raised and discussed.
Before the SSF was established in 1996, there was no organisation looking after or representing the interests of Sutton’s senior residents. In particular, the forum’s success has been a result of its commitment to helping elderly women, who live on their own, many of which were isolated from society. The forum has helped them to socialise with others through activities and excursions which the forum organises for its members.
Since its establishment, the forum has also proved effective in lobbying and winning explicit recognition for older people’s interests in the Sutton Partnership and the Community Plan. Its members also sit on the local council’s Older People Strategy Advisory Group, enabling them to promote polices and local affairs affecting senior citizens.
Challenging negative stereotypes of older people, the forum has worked on intergeneration projects to help tackle the fear of crime for the elderly in the local community. The SSF is the largest such forum in Greater London, attracting over 150 people to its meetings and through its newsletter keeps many more in the community involved in its projects.
David Dombey, chairman, Sutton Seniors’ Forum said: “We are thrilled to be honoured with a Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. The forum’s volunteers work incredibly hard to ensure that it’s members interests are looked after, it’s great to see all our hard work recognised by such a prestigious award.”
Contact: David Dombey
Call: 0208 401 2741
General Email: suttonseniors@aol.com
Email: dombeyd@onetel.com
Tain Gala Association
Tain Gala Association are a group of volunteers, who work together to organise social events for the benefit of the whole community.
The group was set up 18 years ago by members of the community to provide traditional family entertainment and to foster more community interaction. Each year the Tain Gala has grown more successful, resulting in greater enthusiasm and dedication amongst its existing volunteers, which in turn encouraged more to join. Today Tain Gala week is renowned as one of the best galas in Scotland.
The volunteers carry out every task that is required in order to plan and run all the events. The local economy in Ross-shire is dependant on tourism and seasonal unemployment is a major problem in the community. Tain Gala Association has re-energised the local community and business, helping to create lasting change within the area.
Chairman, Alasdair Rhind, Tain Gala Association said: “The Tain Gala Association is absolutely delighted and honoured to be chosen as a winner of the prestigious Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. The Gala Association work extremely hard throughout the year to organise and host social events for the whole community of Tain and the surrounding area and are a group of extremely hard-working, dedicated and enthusiastic volunteers. Through their work the group have not only a positive impact on the social lives of the community but also an economic impact in attracting large volumes of visitors to the area. Over the years the Gala Association have shown how successful a group of volunteers can be at bringing the whole community together and the difference that can be made to a community. To have their efforts recognised and rewarded in this way makes all the hard work seem even more worthwhile.”
Contact: Alasdair Rhind
Call: 01862 892 521
Tipton Community Association
Tipton Community Association (TCA) was set up in 1964 by a small group of people who felt Tipton had nothing to offer by way of leisure facilities for the local community.
The TCA endeavours to bring organisations and individuals together for the common good of the community. The Association also helps to fill gaps in community services and provides opportunities for individuals to undertake voluntary community service. Throughout the year, the group organises a range of events, including the carnival (which the group revived after a break of around 30 years), remembrance services, a Christmas market and community involvement trips.
The Association, which set up the town’s first independent community centre in 1972, also operate Tipton Community Resource Centre. It controls facilities such as marquees, market stalls and PA systems, which are available to community groups at a small cost.
The association has often struggled with funding but has still managed to organise events for the community to enjoy. Small amounts of funding are now being made available from the Tipton Town Committee, though this is never guaranteed.
The oldest community group in Tipton, the TCA bring together all sections of the local community, creating a good atmosphere and friendlier living environment.
Barry R, Whitehouse, founder member & president of Tipton Community Association said: “This is really fantastic news. After 43 years serving the community of Tipton, the voluntary work and sheer dedication of TCA officers and members has at last been recognised and from the highest level. It is absolutely superb and our sincere thanks to our nominators.”
Contact: Barry Whitehouse
Call: 0121 557 2777(home) 0121.522.4044(office)
Mobile: 07795.694896
Email: barrywhitehouse@blueyonder.co.uk
Whale Hill Community Centre
Whale Hill Community Centre aims to provide facilities in the interest of social welfare for recreation and leisure time occupations by providing a community base with the purpose of improving the quality of life for the residents of the Whale Hill Estate.
In 1982, local residents formed a group to object to plans to sell off a car park located at the end of their local shops. They campaigned to have a purpose built community centre constructed on the site, and won. The group operated for a year in a portacabin on the care park site; and through sheer determination and hard work financed their own activities through fundraising. In 1983 the newly formed Whale Hill Community Association (WHCA) gained charitable status and officially moved in the centre.
During the past 22 years the centre and its volunteers have made a valuable contribution to their local community by catering to the needs of residents and of those living in the surrounding area. The centre and its volunteers have created a ‘community’ network within the centre by offering support and a friendly place for people to go; and in an area of high unemployment and social deprivation this provides a vital link and a stepping stone to other services.
Throughout its 22 years the centre has provided: computer training using its own 12 seater computer suite, job search, a range of adult education courses and leisure activities. The centre also hosts an assortment of activities including children’s and adults dancing classes, children’s disco and youth night, slimming club, car boot and more recently a youth dance class and youth forum.
The centre survives on the relentless support, care and sheer devotion of its volunteers. One long serving volunteer, aged 70, has served as the Committee’s Secretary and has run dance class for both children and adults since the centre opened.
Contact: Olwyn Peters
Call: 01642 456721
Windsor Ascot Maidenhead District Sports Association for the Disabled (WAMDSAD)
Windsor Ascot Maidenhead District Sports Association for the Disabled (WAMDSAD) provides sports and recreational facilities for physically and sensorially disabled people, giving them an opportunity to play in sports at all levels, which might otherwise not have been possible.
WAMDSAD was set up 30 years ago in conjunction with the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead in response to the lack of facilities and opportunities for disabled people to take part in sport. Today it has established itself as a crucial and well-respected part of the Maidenhead community. Many of the disabled WAMDSAD members trained at WAMDSAD for the Paralympics, with a WAMDSAD being represented in British Paralympics team since it was formed. In 2004 three members returned from Athens Olympics with Gold, Silver and Bronze medals.
The success of WAMSAD is not only the result of the facilities but a crucial part of its success is due to its volunteers who help in the day to day running of the centre and with coaching sports teams.
Contact: John Jenkins
Call: 0118 903 4073
Mobile: 0797 629 7835
The Winsford Trust
The Winsford Trust offer a base for social, educational, health and leisure activities, including drop-in facilities for anyone to use, regardless of age or ability.
The centre was set up when the charity formed and bought a former cottage hospital in 1999. It was the closure of the cottage hospital, as well as two residential homes that left a big gap to fill with regard to the elderly population, and this remains the aim of the organisation. For some of the elderly, the time they spend at the centre is the only access to sociability they have, and for some carers, this may be the only respite they have.
The centre relies on local people volunteering and there is a wide consensus that those who give up their time are always willing to go that bit extra. Indeed on average the volunteers contribute about 450 hours per month. The organisation offers a wide range of facilities and activities that bring joy to many who would otherwise be lonely.
Despite a great deal of support from the local community, funding is always a problem for small charities such as the Winsford Trust. Fundraising events are always well supported and a few local businesses are always supportive in practical ways.
Contact: Jill Thomas
Call: 01409-231213
Wolverton Secret Garden
Wolverton Secret Garden is a local community project started by a group born out of the Wolverton Society of Arts & Heritage, whose members first expressed the wish to acquire land to create a community garden. After extensive community consultation funding was secured from a number of sources, including the Countryside Agency’s Doorstep Green initiative, supported by the Big Lottery Fund.
Wolverton is a Victorian railway town with few trees and green spaces. The Wolverton and Greenleys Town Council bought the land from Network Rail with help from the Wolverton Society for Arts & Heritage for £1, to make improvements to the area. From this larger society emerged the Wolverton Secret Garden Society, whose function was to raise funds, carry out these improvements and develop a long-term maintenance plan.
The vision was to create a community garden, a green oasis in a town that has few green spaces, enhancing the interesting historical associations as well as the wildlife. The space was named the Secret Garden.
Work commenced in Spring 2003. For the last three years volunteers between the ages of 9 and 69 have been working on the project, clearing ground, planting and weeding. Paths and the footprints of the villas have been installed using original materials and bricks from the villas. Mosaics created by volunteers and skilled artists and flowerbeds have contributed to a beautiful garden for everyone in the community. Officially opened on the 17th July 2005, the opening was marked by the release of 750 balloons, each with a name of a pupil from the local school on them.
Wolverton Secret Garden is now securing funding for further phases of work, the most ambitious being the construction of a bridge across the canal to improve access.
Contact: Roger Kitchen
Call: 01908 313514
Email: roger@kitchens-ink.fsnet.co.uk
Woodingdean Youth Centre
The Woodingdean Youth Centre near Brighton in Sussex is one of the busiest youth centres in the city, engaging young people aged 5-21 in a wide range of groups, activities, projects and workshops. The centre, which is based in a rural area, offers over a thousand young people every year somewhere to go; the centre has become their own space, which they are involved in both running and maintaining.
The centre is run by a voluntary management committee, which is involved in all aspects of the centre – from running sessions, to completing building repairs, donating equipment and servicing the centre’s computers. The centre runs a variety of sessions every weeknight, ranging from band practice, dance clubs and volunteering programmes.
The success of the Youth Centre in recent years is widely attributed to the dedication of the Centre’s Chair Tony Harris and Committee Member Dee Simson. Tony and Dee raised over £13,000 in 2003 to completely renovate the centre, which had fallen into extreme disrepair. Renovations removed over six tons of rubbish, and the centre was able to install a brand new kitchen and wheelchair ramp, fit safety glass and repair the leaking roof. The centre reopened in March 2004, and local residents have noticed a drop in anti-social behaviour as young people have returned to the youth centre in their droves.
The dedication of volunteers in the local community is testament to the success of the centre. Over 33 members of the local community regularly give up their time to volunteer at the centre and the wider community have shown their support through donating IT equipment, furniture, televisions, toys and games. Volunteers also work to help develop services to support young people in the area with behavioural problems, learning difficulties and disabilities.
The centre celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, and is recognised by both the local community and organisations in the county as being a leading light in supporting and engaging young people.
Contact: Dee Simson
Call: 01273 291178 / 07753 762500
Email: Dee.simson@brighton-hove.gov.uk
Wychwood Project
The Wychwood Project uses the focus of the former Royal Hunting Forest of Wychwood, in West Oxfordshire, to encourage local people to understand, conserve and restore its rich mosaic of landscape and wildlife habitats.
The project works with the local community. It has helped establish seven community woodlands, and has advised on over 40 community projects including hedgerow restoration, pond management, wildlife surveys, rural skills training and grassland restoration. The project area covers 41 parishes in modern West Oxfordshire, stimulating enthusiasm for community effort and strengthening links between those who live in today’s countryside. All this is achieved by the support of the local community and mostly through voluntary work.
The Friends of Wychwood, a Charity which now has over 500 members supports the Project in many ways. Further support comes from West Oxfordshire District Council and Oxfordshire County Council and other charities and local organisations. The re-establishment of the traditional Wychwood Forest Fair is a notable recent success of the Friends. As a direct result of the generosity and enthusiasm of people working with the Wychwood project many other local people benefit from these efforts as will future generations.
Contact: Alan Spicer
Contact: 01608 810 745
Website: www.wychwoodproject.org
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