2010
2009
News Update
Citizenship Awards
18 April 2008Students from the across the North West were presented with certificates and awards from LJMU's Foundation for Citizenship to celebrate young people who are committed to making a difference in their community. The awards, presented by the Chair of the Foundation Professor David Alton and LJMU Vice Chancellor Professor Michael Brown, are presented in recognition of those who are involved in significant voluntary, community and charitable activity.
King George V College - Steve Reddie
Steve is the elected Member of the Youth Parliament for South Sefton. He attends weekly meetings, and is proud of the fact that issues raised by Sefton have been taken to national level. He has met with MPs, councillors and decision-makers and is the respected voice of young people. He has set up a website for the Youth Parliament and worked with the local transport councillor to get free train and bus travel for ages 11-19. He has also challenged the media about their negative attitude to young people.
In addition Steve is a member of numerous youth groups and panels, including Youth Opportunities Fund and Youth Bank, deciding and advising about project bid. He is a member of Youthezzi, organising events for the local community. He is Vice Chairman of Future Inheritors and a member of the Western Spirits Project. Steve also sits on the board of Neighbourhood Management and he has now become a Sefton Youth Advisor - currently working with the council on evaluating and improving green space within Sefton. In total Steve gives about 30 hours a week doing voluntary work for his community.
Knowsley Community College - Paul Kenton
Paul is working towards a medical career and to this end has been very active in undertaking medically related volunteer activities.
For 18 months Paul has been a volunteer at Aintree Hospital NHS Trust, sometimes sitting and talking to patients, other times assisting with administrative tasks. An active member of St John's Ambulance, Paul has made use of his CPR training in a life-threatening situation.
Paul travelled to Lourdes where he shadowed a GP from the HCPT Pilgrimage Trust, and from this year he will be travelling annually with the Trust as a volunteer to care for disabled children.
Paul is a patient representative at both Alder Hey Hospital and the Women's Hospital which involves putting forward the patients' views to make any hospital stay as comfortable as possible.
He has been involved in regeneration projects for the Culture Company 08 and has addressed the House of Commons twice regarding the regeneration of Liverpool, as well as meeting with Condoleezza Rice and Jack Straw.
Liverpool Community College - Andy Griffin
Andy was a full time learner on a Motor Vehicle Engineering course and then moved onto the Work-Based Learning programme as a full time apprentice. He has been a cub/scout leader since he was 12, working voluntarily at Allerton Towers as an instructor. Realising that special activities were not available, along with some friends, he decided to form a youth group called Youth Afloat.
Andy volunteered to lead the group and using premises at Allerton Towers and his links with Liverpool Sailing Club, he applied for a substantial lottery grant to help set up and buy equipment for the group. Following extensive paperwork and interviews his bid was successful. The Youth Afloat Group was formed which enabled the group to expand, and also provide the young people with pastime recreation as well as instruction on boating activities.
Andy still runs the group and hopes for fuller recognition from the Royal Yachting Association to develop and increase the group's potential.
Riverside College Halton - Sam Newton
Sam started volunteering for the Canal Boat Project in July 2002 which is based in Runcorn. The aim of the project is to support children from deprived areas with their education, fun trips, teaching new skills and providing lifestyle workshops. Alongside this project Sam is also a volunteer for a detached outreach group volunteering on Wednesday evenings and Saturday, plus additional hours where required.
In July 2005 Sam participated in an exchange scheme which resulted in her visiting Germany with other members of the project to build a crazy golf course with the 'Kids & Co Organisation'.
In October 2006 Sam spent a week at the Warrington Peace Centre working with the local community. On the final day she met with David Cameron which resulted in her being invited to London to attend the 'Young Adults Trust'.
In November 2007 Sam travelled to Romania to help insulate two houses. In 2006/2007 she helped teach peer education in primary and high schools on alcohol awareness, bullying, drugs and discrimination.
She continues to assist in trips with the Canal Boat Project in her own time and in college holidays such as rock climbing and boat steering.
St Helens College - Jess Furlong
Jess has worked for a number of organisations and still continues to do so while completing a first diploma in sport, and competing in dragon boating competitions. She volunteers for Rainbows and Guides as a Young Leader for 3.5 hours a week and is the Chairman of Young Matters chat back where she volunteers for several hours a week.
In addition Jess also attends Y4U meetings, and at weekends participates in events for all the above organisations.
Southport College - Mark Edward Hesketh
Mark has been a dedicated and reliable volunteer with the Southport Offshore Rescue Trust (Southport Lifeboat) since he was 16. He is involved with all aspects of training, equipment maintenance and fundraising. As an operational crew member he is on call 24/7 via a pager. He is competent in first aid, boast handling, navigation and communications - all essential attributes in a functioning rescue service.
Fundraising is an essential part of volunteers' duties and Mark is always willing to give up his spare time for the organisation. Last summer he arranged for one of the lifeboats to be included in a local school fete - helping to keep the visible presence necessary to encourage public donations, and to demonstrate to other young people how interesting and rewarding voluntary work can be. He has also assisted with street collections. Mark has successfully completed the Search and Rescue Craft Operations course, which demonstrates his commitment to the Rescue Service
Wirral Metropolitan College - Jenna Higginson
Jenna is one of three Young Advisors attached to the "Community and Local Government Scheme" and is a member of the Consultancy Scheme looking at the improvements young people want in the Rock Ferry and Tranmere Alliance areas.
Jenna has addressed councillors across the North West as an ambassador for young people at Manchester City Stadium, and with other Young Advisors won the Live Wirral Community Award for supporting Children and Young People.
Jenna has also assisted with the general organisation of the Tranmere Alliance Community Show, helping with staffing and running a stall on young peoples' housing.
