Seventy-nine
volunteering groups from across the UK are today announced as winners
of this
year's Queen's Award for Voluntary Service, recognising the outstanding
contributions made to local communities by groups voluntarily devoting
their
time for the benefit of others. One of these is the West Alness
Residents Association, the group who manage the West End Community
Centre in Alness.
The
prestigious National Honour, which is equivalent to the MBE, sets the
national benchmark for excellence in volunteering, and the activities of those
awarded have been judged of the highest standard.
The
winners were selected from 379 groups nominated by members of the public who
have been helped personally or witnessed the benefits of a group's work in
their community. They will be presented with an exclusive crystal trophy
marking their success at one of a number of special local ceremonies being
given by the Queen's Lord Lieutenants.
Phil
Hope, Minister for the Third Sector, congratulated the 2008 winners on their
success, saying:
“It
gives me great honour to pay tribute to all this year's recipients of the
Queen's Award for Voluntary Service, who have made, and continue to make such a
positive difference to many people's lives right across our society.
“Volunteering
groups contribute hugely to their communities, often without praise for the
incredible job they do, and it is important for all of us to recognise their
work in helping others and hopefully gain inspiration from their achievements.”
In
selecting this project for the shortlist, the judges felt from the
application
that the refurbishment of three shop units to provide a much needed
community
facility had been a labour of love - and the project visit absolutely
confirmed
this to be the case!
"This
project is a shining example of how a determined, focussed community
with few
resources at their disposal can indeed achieve great things. The place
provides
a haven at the heart of the community, where everyone of all ages are
welcome. The
refurbishment process in itself was challenging for a lay committee,
but their
tenacity ensured that the project achieved completion, opening
officially in
July 2007. It was clear to the judges that the centre filled a physical
and
social void within the community and they were particularly impressed
by the
youth café where, even on a Saturday evening, volunteers
open the hall to
enable local young people to enjoy activities in a central place of
safety,
warmth and companionship."
05/12/2007 WARA Chair, Jennifer MacLeod and Vice-chair, Nigel
Goulding with Helen Houston at the London award ceremony receiving the
"Runner-up" award in this national contest for the implementation of a
ground source heat pump system in the newly renovated West End
Community Centre
The
West Alness SAVE (Save And Value
Energy) Project
aims to help hundreds of households in the area reduce their electric
bills by
up to 5% and show them how they can use their electricity
smarter.
The
West Alness SAVE Project is a partnership between the West Alness,
Firhill,
Kirkside, Coulpark and Westford residents groups, the Alness Initiative
and The
Highland Council Housing & Property Service.
“Residents
groups in the
To
find out more about the project residents can call
Community Energy Advisor Brid McKibben on 07920 437 526 or drop in to the Westend Community Centre, Firhill, Alness or see the WASP web site at www.westalnesssave.org.uk |
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