Young people honoured for doing good
The Vinvolved youth project co-ordinates the work of volunteers who contribute the equivalent of over £60,000 worth of work a year to help good causes.
The project is run by Knowsley’s Council for Voluntary Services who organised an evening of music and dance at the Huyton Suite to celebrate their work.
At the gala ceremony, a Marilyn Monroe lookalike handed out Volunteer of the Year awards to six young people who were nominated by the organisations they have helped.
The award winners were Matthew Bannon, who volunteers at Aintree Hospital, Matthew Marshall who helps at KCC Live radio station, Gemma Veidman and Nicola Brown, who helped at Knowsley Council, Christopher Williams from the Make A Difference youth group and Laura McCarthy, who volunteers at Performance Studios.
Nicola Brown, who is 19, volunteers in children’s centres in North Huyton as part of the “vTalent Year” programme to help volunteers gain skills for work.
She said: “I enjoy working with children so I decided to study for an NVQ Level 3 in Childcare.
“I joined vTalent Year because I felt I needed more experience to help me get a job when I had finished studying.
“As well as helping me gain new skills, it has really increased my confidence and I feel I now have a good chance of a career in the profession I love.”
Entertainment at the ceremony was provided by the Kirkby-based Performance Studios and Liverpool-based urban artist KOF.
KCC Live FM station, which is largely run by volunteers, provided technical support and music.
Damian Allen, Knowsley’s executive director for children and family services, said: “Volunteering is a great way for young people to use their time and talents to help themselves and others.
“The hours and effort these young people give for free is remarkable and they are proof that this section of the community can do so much good.”
