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This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007

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Queen's Golden Jubilee Awards

02/06/2003

Two representatives of the Drug Initiative Group in Forfar will travel to London today to be presented with an award by the Queen in recognition of their outstanding commitment and contribution to their local community.

Colin McKenzie and Rodney Anderson will join representatives from 13 other groups - one from each part of the UK - to attend a ceremony at Buckingham Palace on the 50th anniversary of the Queen's Coronation.

There are 20 Scottish winners among the 200 voluntary and community groups receiving this new, annual Queen's Golden Jubilee Award. The winners were announced today by Home Office Minister, Lord Filkin, who said:

"This new, prestigious annual award gives well-deserved recognition to some of the unsung heroes of our communities - the hundreds of thousands of voluntary groups across the UK that play such an essential role in our daily lives."

Extending his congratulations to the Scottish winners of the award, First Minister Jack McConnell said:

"I am delighted that 20 Scottish organisations have been awarded this important accolade - particularly as their work is being recognised in this way during Volunteers' Week.

"Volunteers contribute a great deal of time and talent to our communities, and it is important that we recognise that contribution and reward them for it. I hope that awards such as this will encourage more Scots to think about the benefits of volunteering in the future."

The Queen's Golden Jubilee Award recognises the achievement of groups who volunteer their own time to improve the quality of life and opportunities for others in their community.

Nomination forms for the 2004 Awards are available from today and must be returned by September 15.

Forms can be obtained by visiting www.goldenjubileeaward.gov.uk, emailing a request to gjaward@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk or calling 0845 000 2002.

The winning groups, other than the 14 from today, will receive their awards from the Lord-Lieutenant for the county in which they operate during June and July.

A successful group will have demonstrated that it:

  • evolved locally and is locally run
  • has a proven track record of active community involvement, normally over a period of three years or more
  • is well designed to meet a particular need
  • adds significant value by directly providing community-focused voluntary activities of a very high quality
  • generates a high level of local goodwill and respect

Applications for nominations were invited in the following categories:

  1. Educational
  2. Emergency response
  3. Environment / regeneration
  4. Health
  5. Playscheme / youth group
  6. Recreation / sports / arts
  7. Self-help / support
  8. Social / community
  9. Social / preventative (eg crime prevention)

The winning groups in Scotland are:

Arran Lifeline
Provides and services a telephone activated push-button service in elderly and disabled people's homes.

Canine Concern Scotland Trust - Therapet - Aberdeen
Provides 'therapy dogs' for people in hospitals, hospices and sheltered housing to help those devoid of animal contact.

Central Gurdwara Singh Sabha, Glasgow
Manages a Sikh community place of worship and provides activities to promote Sikh culture.

Churches Action for the Homeless
Runs a day centre for the homeless or those at risk of homelessness in Perth and provides access to other community services.

Drugs Initiative Group, Forfar
Runs a drop-in facility and offers alternative activities to drugs and alcohol.

Eighteen and Under
Provides information and support to young people in Dundee who have been abused and researches ways of preventing abuse.

Fife Christian Counselling Centre
Provides support and comfort to members of the community.

Focus Youth Project Management Committee
Oversees the running of the youth project in Viewpark.

Glasgow Association of Family Support Groups
Promotes the development of groups to support and advise parents of drug abusers.

Home Basics
Collects and refurbishes donated furniture and household goods for disadvantaged people in Tweeddale.

Inverclyde Peace Initiative
Promotes conflict resolution within the community through positive, non-violent means and working towards a cohesive and sustainable community.

Islay Disabled Endeavours and Actions
Provides care, advocacy, craft working, training and health supervision for individuals with special needs.

Lanarkshire Cancer Care Trust (The Volunteer Driver Scheme)
Provides a personal hospital transport service for cancer sufferers.

McSense Limited
Creates sustainable community-owned and run businesses, employing and training unemployed local people of Dalkeith.

Portlethen and District Community Ambulance Association
Provides transport for those unable to attend church, social or health facilities otherwise.

Red Star Athletics Club
Provides sporting, recreational and social opportunities for people with disabilities in Glasgow.

Rosebery Centre
Provides support, advisory and counselling services to people with dementia and their families in Livingston.

The Drop In
Provides social activities, meals and advice for pensioners in Irvine.

The Hit Squad
Improves the environment in Dawson, Falkirk, by enabling elderly and infirm residents to undertake low maintenance gardening and run a community allotment.

The Moorpark Community Association
Provides social and educational opportunities and raises funds to improve the local environment.

Page updated: Wednesday, July 21, 2004