Some 117 UK voluntary groups have been awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service 2013.

Award winners include the Lantern Club in Buckinghamshire which provides respite and daycare activities for elderly people with memory problems who are socially isolated, and Nowt2Do Project in Greater Manchester which organises after-school activities to reduce anti-social behaviour. 

Those receiving the award were selected from 270 groups nominated by members of the public. Winners will receive a certificate signed by the Queen and an exclusive commemorative crystal, presented by Her Majesty's Lord-Lieutenants in their counties at special ceremonies arranged by the Lieutenancy offices and in the countries of Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.  The Lieutenant Governors of the Islands of Jersey and Guernsey will also make individual presentations.

Nick Hurd, minister for civil society, said: “I would like to congratulate all those who received this year’s Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, in recognition of their achievements. Having met some of them recently, I was struck by their passion and motivation and hope they will inspire others around them to get involved in volunteering and make a positive impact in their communities.”

The Award is overseen by the Office for Civil Society, in the Cabinet Office. It was created over a decade ago by Her Majesty to mark the Golden Jubilee in 2002 and to recognise the contributions made to local communities by groups of volunteers; it has an equivalent status for voluntary groups as the MBE has for individuals.