Southall Community Alliance (SCA) was presented with the Queens Award for Voluntary Service at the Tower of London on 18th November 2022.

SCA received the award for their work in the community, particularly during the Covid period where they helped people with food support and other assistance.

SCA was one of 17 London groups who received the award and interestingly four of these groups were from Ealing. The other Ealing groups were the William Hobbayne Charity, Youth Engagement Programme and Spice World Uplyft.

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The award was presented by The Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London, Sir Kenneth Olisa OBE.

This is a great honour for the charity and Janpal Basran (SCA Development Manager) and Harsev Bains (SCA Chair) were delighted to attend and receive this very prestigious award.

SCA was nominated for the Queens Award in 2021. Like most nominees they were unaware of our nomination until they were contacted by them and visited by an assessor in December 2021.

It was only in July 2022 that they received confirmation that they had successfully been awarded the Queens Award for Voluntary Service.

They were one of 247 organisations nationally and 17 in London that had received the Queens Award this year. Interestingly out of the 17 London organisations four were from Ealing.

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Harsev Bains said: "This recognition of Southall Community Alliance is a reflection of all the collective efforts of community voluntary sector organisations, faith groups and businesses with a social conscience."

"The Queens Award for Voluntary Services, the equivalent of an MBE is the pinnacle of achievement for SCA and all those who selflessly served the Southall communities since 1981."

Janpal Basran & Harsev Bains receiving Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service on behalf of Southall Community Alliance

"To receive the award on behalf of the unsung heroines and heroes of Southall was humbling and exhilarating . It felt euphoric that finally our collective hard work as volunteers, trustees and staff was being acknowledged. The value we have all added to the quality of life of people in Southall noticed . We have earned it and deserve it, especially after the turbulence of the last few years and the trail of false nonsensical accusations still being circulated."

"Nothing can or will take away the award conferred to Southall Community Alliance, received by Janpal Basran and myself in my capacity as Chair on behalf of us all."

"We congratulate our fellow recipients and thank all those who nominated Southall Community Alliance, your support means the world to us."

Now let us build for tomorrow’s "Destination Southall"