Best new volunteer
Best New Volunteer
The Best New Volunteer award is given to a volunteer who has shown immediate commitment and achieved loads for a community in a short space of time. They have built positive relationships and hit the ground running. They are out to change the world (or their neighbourhood at least!)
Zoe Burden
Zoe, 16, has been volunteering for Brighter Futures for the past year, taking children in care on day-trips and giving them opportunities to socialise.
The things I get most out of volunteering are…
Helping others feel confident in themselves. Making friends.
My volunteering has made an impact on the people I help by…
Making them feel that they’re not alone, inspiring them to do well in life, and being a friend.
Being nominated for a vInspired National Award makes me feel…
Shocked, I don’t feel like I’ve done anything to win an award.
If I were Prime Minister for the day, the one thing I would change would be…
The way the care system works; I would like to improve it by investing more money into parent support and skill groups.
Matthew Wright
Matthew, 19, started volunteering with a mobile skate park when he moved into a YMCA hostel last year
The things I get most out of volunteering are…
Confidence building, teamwork skills, problem solving and a positive outlook on life.
My volunteering has made an impact on the people I help by…
Bringing generations together working with Age UK/ Gold.
Being nominated for a vInspired National Award makes me feel…
Ecstatic to be nominated, over the moon, proud and surprised by my own abilities to help the communities.
If I were Prime Minister for the day, the one thing I would change would be…
To improve Tee’s valley YMCA in the volunteering sector - creating more projects.
Natalie George
The things I get most out of volunteering are…
I have gained confidence, experience and I feel I have made a difference for young people today.
My volunteering has made an impact on the people I help by…
Doing the sexpositive campaign which meant I was helping to empower young people and also advising young people and giving them the right to help and support.
Being nominated for a vInspired National Award makes me feel…
It makes me feel very proud and happy, it also makes me feel that I have made a difference.
If I were Prime Minister for the day, the one thing I would change would be…
I would change people’s opinions of young people and try to make all young people have equal rights.