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Winners of the 2011 Queen's Award for Voluntary Service

Among the winning groups for 2011 are; a London-based children’s performing arts mentoring programme (see case study below), a Fife museum conserving historic boats and the history of Scotland’s fishing industry and a scheme helping the long-term unemployed in Glastonbury find work and education opportunities.

Winners will get a certificate signed by The Queen. They will also be presented with an exclusive commemorative crystal by Her Majesty's Lord-Lieutenants at special ceremonies throughout the country.

Groups have also received an invitation for representatives to attend a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace or the Palace of Holyroodhouse in the summer.

The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service Award Committee Chair, former broadcast journalist Martyn Lewis CBE, said: "Volunteer groups make such an important contribution to their communities, often without praise for the incredible job they do.

"In these difficult times their efforts are even more valuable. The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service helps all of us recognise the benefits those winning groups bring to others’ lives, while celebrating their achievements."

More than 980 groups around the UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man have now received this annual Award since it was created by Her Majesty to mark the occasion of her Golden Jubilee in 2002.

• Download the full list of the 2011 winners of The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service (PDF, 25K)

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Case study - Scene & Heard

Scene & Heard is a mentoring project that partners the inner city children of Somers Town, London with volunteer theatre professionals. It gives give them an experience of one-to-one adult attention and lets them write and perform their own plays. 

As well as improving the children's literacy skills and general attitude towards education and learning, it also develops their communication and social skills, and offers them role models from beyond their normal experience.

Commenting on the award, Rosalind Paul, artistic director of Scene & Heard, said: "We are honoured and delighted to receive The Queens Award. This is a glorious recognition of the amazing work that our 450 volunteer theatre professionals do for the children of Somers Town. Times are tough for us, but this award is a huge boost and will help bring more people to enjoy the incredible work our children produce, and to invest in their future."

Nominating a group for the Queen's Award

Members of the public nominated 413 groups for the 2011 awards.

If you've been helped by a volunteer group, or know of a group that does good things in your local community that's staffed by volunteers, you can nominate them for next year's awards by following the link below.

• Nominating a group for the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service

Further information

• A guide to the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service

More on Directgov

• Volunteering (home and community section)

• Work experience and volunteering (young people section)

• Guide to volunteering for over 50s (pensions and retirement planning section)

• Charities and community groups (home and community section)