At the “Give Something Back” event held at The Iron works on Saturday 6th June 2009, Robin Falconer, Chair of Highland Youth Voice presented Youth Volunteering awards to 15 young people from 5 organisations across the area.

He is currently Chairperson of Highland Youth Voice and a member of Caithness Youth Bank taking responsibility for decisions on funding applications.  He is actively involved with Caithness Youth Forum and this year received Young Quality Scot Award for his dedication as a young volunteer.

Robin, from Wick, is no stranger to volunteering himself – as a young leader for the Scouts, and on the pupil council at Wick High School, he began his ‘committee volunteering’ at Volunteering Highland as a member of the Highland Lottery panel where he learned the decision making process regarding funding and project work for young people.

Robin presented Millennium Volunteer Awards to 161 (1st Highland) Squadron Air Training Corps, which included Cadet Natasha Murray and Cadet Paula Curtis (50 hour awards). One hundred hour certificates were presented to Corporal Thomas Skinner, Sergeant Danny MacKenzie and Flight Sergeant Rory Slater.

Cadet Jason Miller (50 hour award) and Sergeant Liam Dougan (100 hour award) were unable to attend due to work commitments.

Natasha and Paula are both 17 yrs old and have been attending cadets for 4 years. Natasha is now in full time employment but continues to devote 2 evenings per week and weekends to cadet activities. Paula also regularly attends the Squadron and is presently engaged in weekly training for the joint cadet drill team which will perform a display of continuity drill at this year’s Inverness tattoo. Both girls have run the Inverness 5k to raise money for charity.

Thomas is 17yrs old and has attended ATC for 3 years. He has a polite and courteous nature and his quiet maturity is respected by all who meet him.

Danny is 17 yrs old and has been a cadet for 3 years. He is a flight commander within the squadron with responsibility for looking after 20 cadets. As well as regularly attending squadron evenings and weekend events he has been on various camps and courses and is keen to join the RAF. He ran the Inverness 10k and has cycled the Glencalvie Challenge for charity. 

Rory is 17yrs old and has been a cadet for 4 years. He has the rank of Flight Sergeant and is involved in all aspects of the ATC especially the fund-raising activities. 2 years ago he designed and constructed a large model aircraft which a team of cadets “flew” in the Inverness 5k run in aid of charity. Last year he ran the Inverness 10k race for charity.

Also receiving MV awards were Thomas William Law (100 hour award) and Beth Appleby (50 hour award). Both these young people volunteer in the Inverness Oxfam shop. Supporting the young volunteers was Manager Maurice George Porter who explained that Thomas has actually done over 1000 hours volunteering since January and is due an Award of Excellence.

Other young people unable to attend to collect their certificates included Jamie Shields, awarded with his 100 hour MV certificate for volunteering with New Start and Chloe Smith, who has amassed over 600 hours volunteering with Shopmobility.

Looking to recognise the volunteering achievements of young people under 16 the Young Highlander Awards were presented by Robin to a group from Cromarty youth café. These young people, accompanied by Youth development Officer, Wanda Mackay, organise their junior youth Café and other activities for young people.

Fraser Thomson works every week in Junior Youth Cafe, is on Ross & Cromarty Youth Forum and local ward forum and is actively involved in many other local events.

Rebecca Reid and Miranda Evans encourage lots of creativity in the younger girls through dance and singing as well as supporting them to complete craft projects.

Matthew Faulds, was unable to attend but gained recognition for his volunteering running weekly sessions of Dodge ball and Football.

Finally a presentation of “25 years of Volunteering week” Awards made to all young volunteers at the event.

At the event Robin commented “The portrayal of young people in the media is often very negative, so by volunteering, you are showing that young people really do want to contribute in a positive way to society and that the negative press is really only directed towards a very small percentage of the population." 
 

Notes

Volunteers' Week is a national celebration of volunteers and volunteering which takes place from 1 – 7 June of each year. This year, Volunteers' Week is celebrating its 25th anniversary.
 
Millennium Volunteer (MV) Awards is a free national awards scheme endorsed by Scottish Government. It is administered by Volunteer Centres and Volunteer Development Scotland (VDS).

MV is open to 16 to 25 year olds. Their volunteering efforts are rewarded with a certificate after 50, 100, 200 hours. Certificates are signed by a Scottish Minister, with the 200 hours Certificate of Excellence signed by the First Minister.

Young Highlander Awards for under 16’s recognises young people who are making a positive impact, are working in teams with others and on projects and are contributing and learning.