THE highest honour for volunteer groups has been conferred on a group in Ealing.

IMPACT Theatre was awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, recognising the work it does to empower people with learning disabilities through performing and creative arts.

Since 1999, the charity has been giving learning disabled actors, dancers, musicians and creative artists the opportunity to be part of a pro-active group staging high-quality productions and changing attitudes to disability.

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Four years ago, the group moved into the IMPACT Community Arts Centre at Perivale, set up with funding from Ealing Council and the Arts Council, among others.

 It has put on numerous events, such as its forthcoming Massive Carnival Day on July 21.