Manager Dennis Tallon and other partnership representatives went to the East of England Development Agency's offices at Histon, near Cambridge, last Friday, to receive the 2008 award for partnership and strategic working.

The Iceni Partnership is an independent, non-political community organisation serving Swaffham and its surrounding villages. It runs Swaffham Community Centre and the Assembly Rooms and tries to encourage people to work together for the benefit of the whole community.

Mr Tallon said: "The judges were particularly impressed with the number of drop-in services available in the community centre – 22 in total.

"They were also impressed with the footfall of more than 60,000 people a year visiting the community centre and the Assembly Rooms.

"And the work we do with the Town Group was highlighted as a way partnerships should develop their local community."

Organisations operating from the community centre include Adult Education, British Red Cross, Home-Start, Whitsands Day Nursery and Shop Mobility.

Drop-in services available include a baby clinic, Business Link, Citizens' Advice Bureau, migrant workers, Peddars Way Housing Association, Swaffham Library reading group and Victim Support.

The partnership helps to organise arts events, bingo sessions, craft fairs, fundraising activities and private clubs and societies' meetings in its venues, as well as local competitions and festivals on particular themes with help from other organisations.

Mr Tallon said the income the partnership receives from managing eight business units on the town's EcoTech Business Park, combined with hall hire and its residents' rents, provides it with a small trading surplus.

• The Iceni Partnership's annual meeting takes place at Swaffham Community Centre on Tuesday at 7.30pm. A barbecue, with refreshments and entertainment, will follow.