Student volunteers rewarded for their efforts

24th February 2010 4:59pm - Return to press releases

Photo. The presentation of certificates to student volunteers.JPGStudents from East Riding College are among a group of volunteers who have earned a prestigious award for their efforts.
As one of Community Service Volunteers East Riding's Vinvolved Youth Action Team, media student Jamie Baker, 22, will be attending a prestigious awards ceremony at Lincoln Cathedral at the end of February.
Along will fellow volunteer Kayleigh Cooper, he will receive the Diana Certificate of Excellence on behalf of the group who all worked tirelessly on numerous events to benefit the community on a local and European level during 2009.

The volunteers supported the work of the Beverley Renaissance Partnership during the North Bar Celebrations in July and the annual Festival of Christmas, which attracted more than 50,000 visitors to the town.  During October, thanks to a grant from the European Commission's Youth in Action Programme, the volunteers also organised and implemented a youth exchange to Serbia, the aim of which was to improve youth provision for all young people in the Beverley area.
Much of the work the student volunteers did was related to their studies as they filmed and edited footage of the events.
This week, during Student Volunteering Week, all the volunteers were presented with certificates in recognition of their work by Councillor John Bird, chairman of the Beverley Renaissance Partnership, and  renaissance co-ordinator Kerry Straw, from East Riding of Yorkshire Council.

Jamie, who is on the Foundation Degree in Applied Digital Media, said: "It's excellent to be recognised for our efforts and it will be a privilege to represent our group at the awards ceremony at Lincoln Cathedral.
"I really enjoyed everything we did as part of these projects and I would recommend voluntary work to anyone, as it's about doing something for a good cause but also looks good on your CV, and is a load of fun and great to meet new people."

Sue Dudill, youth volunteer adviser and Youth in Action promoter for the East Riding, said: "The wealth of opportunities generated from these events provided young people with the chance to get involved and take ownership of some very worthwhile and memorable projects. 
"I am particularly proud of the contribution from the students at East Riding College in Beverley who supplied outstanding media coverage throughout and a tangible record of how young people can contribute in a positive way to improve social cohesion in the community and have a great time in the process."

The Diana Award was created in 1999 by the Diana Memorial Committee who felt that her belief in the power of young people to change the world, and her desire to reach out to people who might otherwise have been marginalised, should not be allowed to end with her tragic death.
For more information, visit www.diana-award.org.uk

For more information about how you can get involved in events like this, contact Sue Dudill on 01482 880818 or email [email protected]  and for further information on courses available at East Riding College, visit www.eastridingcollege.ac.uk or call 0845 120 0037.
To read more about Student Volunteering Week, go to www.volunteering.org.uk/