QUEEN'S AWARDS FOR ASIAN COMMUNITY HEROES
(2 June 2004)

The Queen's Award for Voluntary Services today announced details of the 110 volunteering groups that have been selected to receive this prestigious Award this year. Asian community groups awarded include the Brent Indian Community Centre, the Indian Muslim Welfare Society, Mitalee Youth Association of Luton, and the South Gloucestershire Asian Project.

Three members of each group are invited to a special reception at St James's Palace, attended by the Queen and members of the Royal Family, on 19th July 2004.

The Queen's Award for Voluntary Services is an annual award, originally set up to mark the Queen's Golden Jubilee year. The Awards are designed to give recognition to the unsung heroes in our communities - the hundreds of thousands of voluntary groups across the UK All winners have been nominated by members of the public who have either benefited from their work, or seen the positive effect on the community. Every group that wins the Award will receive a certificate signed by the Queen, as well as a commemorative piece of crystal to display in their main offices.

This year's South Asian winners are:

· The Brent Indian Community Centre which was established over 25 years ago and provides a vital community networking and information centre, which can be accessed by all members of the community, particularly the elderly. The Centre offers a wide range of activities for all age groups reflecting the broad aims of meeting the physical, social, sporting, emotional and spiritual needs of all members of all ages. In addition, the Project also offers an important advice service including addressing matters on education, housing, employment, health and immigration issues.

· The Indian Muslim Welfare Society that aims to address the needs of its community through a range of activities and services. In particular the young, the elderly and women are encouraged to utilise the service of the project. Today, the Society has a membership of 16,000 individuals from the Black and ethnic minorities and has a staff of 16 including two senior managers who oversee the organisational activities and events.

· The Mitalee Youth Association which was established in 1984 with the aim of redressing the disadvantages faced by young people from all backgrounds in the Luton area. Uniquely, the organisation is run by young people for young people to tackle a variety of issues including unemployment, social inclusion and tolerance that affect disaffected young people.

· South Gloucestershire Asian Project, whose core objective is to improve the quality of life for the Asian community living and working in the region by providing a range of activities and services including dance, language, tabla and singing classes for children and young people.

Nominations for the year 2005 Queen's Award for Voluntary Service are available from www.queensawardvoluntary.gov.uk or by calling 0845 000 2002. The nomination period runs until 30 September 2004.

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