18/03/11

By Andrew Holt

After judging a record number of entries for the forthcoming vinspired National Awards, v, The National Young Volunteers Service announced the eight national winners following a star-studded ceremony in London last night.

These young people and youth workers have been recognised for their involvement in a varied range of volunteering projects and social action initiatives, including; granting wishes for kids with life threatening diseases, getting hands on with environmental campaigns and raising awareness of gun and knife crime.

The vinspired National Awards acknowledges the extraordinary achievements of volunteers aged 16-25 across England.

After being shortlisted earlier this year, each winner was last night awarded the prestigious title of vinspired National Award winner.

The following volunteers have been announced as the national winners of the vinspired National Awards:

The Connect Award - recognising innovative and effective efforts to bring communities together

Adrian Stone (Derbyshire, East Midlands); Adrian volunteers as an inclusion officer at a centre for young people to build their self-esteem and provide positive activities and alternative education

The Energy Award – for outstanding contribution to youth volunteering

Clare Downey (Reading, Berkshire, South East) Clare is a school teacher who runs the schools volunteer programme ‘unity’ to encourage 6th form pupils to volunteer at least an hour a week. In addition she leads on a project with a specialist school where volunteers from her school buddy with young people from the specialist school. Her main project is the ‘Flying Pigs’ scheme where young people are given the opportunity to volunteer in a school in Moldova

The Fresh Award – for the best new volunteer

Anthony Nicholls (Bournemouth, South West) The project Vibe Live organises free gigs in the Bournemouth area and provides a safe place for under 18 year olds to dance and listen to music. Anthony is the sound technician at the gigs. He also offers advice and guidance to the young people on PA equipment as well as technical support. He has volunteered over weekends, nights and early mornings and has created a website for Vibe Live to advertise their events

The Legend Award – for oustanding leadership

Kim Cooper (Yorkshire and the Humber) Kim was the President of Leeds Action Student Volunteers Society for 2009/10. She ran the Executive, chairing weekly meetings, worked with different members of the community, liaised with all 44 Project Coordinators and worked with many different sections within Leeds University Union. She also ran the Green Streets project transforming it into a city-wide community initiative

The Shout Award – for campaigning

Sulaiman Khan (Essex): Sulaiman is a passionate campaigner for the rights of young disabled people. He is also the Trailblazers' London Regional Ambassador. Sulaiman's campaigns (locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally) employ a broad range of campaigning techniques that ensure decision makers are made aware of the things that have a negative impact on disabled people's lives

The Spirit Award – for all round commitment to volunteering; embodying the spirit of volunteering

Kirsty Ashton (Manchester, North West) Kirsty volunteers for ‘When You Wish upon a Star’, an organisation that grants wishes for children in the UK with life threatening illnesses. Kirsty has raised £83,000 for the charity through innovative ideas. She has also written a book about her experiences suffering from Neurofibromatosis to raise money for charity. The money she has raised has paid for 94 children to travel to Lapland

The Triumph Award - for overcoming personal adversity or enabling an organisation/ community to rise above challenging circumstances

Lee Campbell (Liverpool, North West) Lee has been involved in the LHT Youth Squad for the last 4 years, giving his time every week to attend meetings and act as a mentor and role model for other young people from challenging backgrounds. He has overcome personal barriers to work on projects to tackle gun and gang crime, intergenerational stereotyping and racism in his area and in turn has helped others to overcome challenges and work towards a better community

The Unite Award – for team activity

Youth4Youth (Bristol, South West) Youth4Youth began 4 years ago with two young people who wanted to run a music night for young people and give them something to do. A year later they had raised £45,000 and run a music and performing arts festival for 1000 people with 25 bands. The group has now grown and runs the Main Event festival annually. The group also runs monthly music nights called PREMIX for young people attracting over 300 each time. Their volunteering has had a significant effect on the community; young people have something to be proud of in their area and local police say it has reduced crime by 23%

HRH Prince William said: “The winners of the vinspired National Awards highlight the diverse range of volunteering opportunities that are available to young people. The awards showcase what can be achieved when young people apply their remarkable energies and determination. They also demonstrate the enormously positive contribution 16 to 25 year-olds can make to our society through volunteering.”

Terry Ryall, v CEO added: “Each of the winning volunteers is a complete inspiration. As national finalists they have demonstrated how they have worked hard, using a range of different skills and abilities to create positive change in their community.”

For further information about the vinspired National Awards go:
here

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