Supporting Voluntary and Community Action
www.creativeyouthnetwork.org.uk
The winner of this award will be decided by a panel of judges - the following are extracts from all the nominations received
Bushra has been working for St Werburghs Community Centre as a volunteer Receptionist since July this year and has been an exceptional example of a dedicated and hardworking volunteer. Taking to our complex booking system like a duck to water, Bushra is very bright and enthusiastic and nothing is too big a task to take on. We are extremely lucky to have her! Bushra works with us for two days per week and during that time manages to get through so much work, she is our saviour! She is a fantastic administrator and a dedicated, punctual worker with that cheerful smiley demeanour that is a vital component of working at St Werburghs!
Connor joined WECIL over two years ago to gain experience of working in the voluntary sector. During this time, Connor has worked across departments at WECIL while studying at Bristol City College. Connor has become a huge asset to WECIL; liaising with service users, carrying out administrative tasks, supporting disabled people’s workshops and much, much more! Connor always makes time to support WECIL, and readily comes in on short notice if WECIL needs reception cover for example.
Connor is a hardworking, reliable volunteer who is committed to empowering disabled people through the work that he does. Connor has gained so much knowledge and experience since joining our team and always makes time for WECIL in his busy student week. Connor is thoughtful and considerate in his communication with others, and attentive to service user needs, at various workshops including supporting creative challenges and drumming workshops.
Roxi joined our team as a translation volunteer a couple of months ago and has proven herself an invaluable asset. Roxi supports all our vendors who are homeless or vulnerably housed, working closely in particular with our Romanian speaking vendors. Many are marginalised and face barriers integrating into society - having limited English can make this even more of a struggle. Roxi has used her fluent Romanian and English to support vendors in a variety of ways. The vendors and the team are extremely grateful for her time, dedication, initiative, patience and perseverance. Her enthusiasm is boundless and she approaches a challenge head-on. Considering this is her first volunteer role in the homeless sector, Roxi has shown great initiative, confidence and discretion when working with vulnerable people in crisis situations. One example is the support she has given to a vendor and his son who found themselves sleeping rough. Roxi supported them in contacting the appropriate homeless services and helping them to complete forms to apply for accommodation. With her help they accessed the right help and are now housed and grateful to her not only for her language skills but also her commitment and reassurance.
Gerald has attended virtually all the Cadet meetings for 2013-2014. He also attends virtually all the fund raising and public events including Bag Packing in supermarkets, Bristol Harbour Festival as well as the Balloon Fiesta. He is also keen to set up and be responisble a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme to help make his community a safer place to live. Gerald is trying to make a positive impact on his community under trying family conditions and this needs to be rewarded.
Naomi has faced and overcome a huge amount of issues in her life. It is amazing that she is able to live independently without support but she has been a long term reliable and invaluable volunteer for 1625 Independent People. We think she is a perfect role model to other young people as to what can be achieved in the face of adversity. We think she is also an amazing role model in general. Naomi has:
Rosie Mai is using her facebook page to reach out to vulnerable children in and around Easton and St Pauls. This young lady is an inspiration and is working on a subject close to my heart.
She is raising money to set up a Children's Home. Teaching vulnerable children rap, graffiti and street dance. many children they work with have severe emotional, social and behavioural issues, have been excluded from mainstream school, have suffered traumatic experiences and may have mental health issues. They use urban artforms to engage them and build confidence. Their long term goal is to set up a non-profit Children's Home. Please take a look for yourself, the passion and care this girl has shown is incredible and she is reaching out to the children and to educate all about the need for help here. https://www.facebook.com/ro.sea.169?fref=ts&ref=br_tf
Tanaka is an outstanding young volunteer. Just 20 years, he has shown great leadership skills and love for community. He has a positive outlook to problem solving and unwavering commitment to see other young people flourish in the area.
To demonstrate this commitment: