TWO Somerset volunteer groups have been honoured with the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service this year. 

Home-Start West Somerset and The Pheonix Community Centre won the award, which is the highest award given to local volunteer groups across the UK. 

It recognises and celebrates the outstanding work by groups of volunteers in their communities, for the benefit of others.

The awards were created in 2002 to celebrate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee and winners are announced each year on June 2 – the anniversary of the Queen’s Coronation.

Annie Maw, Lord-Lieutenant of Somerset, said: “I had the great pleasure of meeting all three charities and as always, it is a reminder how we have amongst us in our community, the most remarkable, generous-spirited people on whom we depend.

"My warmest congratulations go to them all.”

Based in Minehead, Home-Start West Somerset is a well-established, trusted organisation serving Exmoor and surrounding communities.

It receives referrals from health visitors and professionals in the social care and child care sectors as well as those working in mental health, education, early years and housing and is recognised as filling a gap in other provisions.

While Home-Start is nationally recognised, the ‘Jump Start’ project is unique to Home-Start West Somerset and provides services to families who have children with disabilities or special needs. It complements existing schemes and is especially beneficial to families with children for whom mainstream education is particularly daunting.

The Phoenix Community Centre, run by the Watchet Phoenix Volunteer Team, acts as a day centre.

It is solely run by volunteers and provides a range of community day services for older people who live within five miles of Watchet, with the aim of improving their quality of life and assisting them to maintain a measure of independence. 

The centre has been running for over 54 years and without the volunteers from the community this centre would never have survived.

Mentoring Plus, a group based in North East Somerset, also won an award.

The group works with volunteers who are trained and supported to mentor and spend time with children and young people aged between 7 and 21. 

The groups will be presented with their awards by Mrs Maw, who is the The Queen’s personal representative, in the County later, in the year.

For more information about the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service please visit http://www.qavs.direct.gov.uk.