Shetland Youth Volunteering Awards 2011

The winners of the Shetland Youth Volunteering Awards (SYVA) 2011 were announced at a reception at the Town Hall in October. This is a competitive awards scheme which aims to recognise the contribution young volunteers make to the community and organisations which support youth volunteering. The awards are organised by Voluntary Action Shetland (VAS) and The Rotary Club of Shetland and were sponsored this year by Shetland Wind Power and Harry's Department Store.

There are two awards to be won. One is sponsored by Voluntary Action Shetland and highlights a group, project or organisation in Shetland, which involves young volunteers of any age up to 25 years. The winning organisation receives a plaque and prize money of £500. VAS feels it is particularly important to recognise the organisations that support young volunteers because of the current emphasis on citizenship, community engagement and community learning opportunities. In addition, VAS hopes this prize will help to encourage the development of more local, sustainable, quality volunteering placements for children and young people.

The award this year was won by the Shetland Young Promoters Group (www.sypg.co.uk). This is an organisation designed to enable young people to stage musical events and to develop the knowledge and skills required to manage and promote their own concerts. The group meets weekly and is run by a committee of young people aged between 14 and 18. It is open to young people aged 25 and under. The SYPG organise and promote gigs in conjunction with some of the most respected and experienced promoters and technical crews within the islands in order to learn some of the key skills of event management - including promotion, business skills and health and safety. The SYPG aims to provide young bands, musicians and DJs with the opportunity to perform and display their talents whilst also giving younger audiences the chance to enjoy great and diverse live music in a safe, alcohol free environment.

The other award is sponsored by The Rotary Club of Shetland, and acknowledges young volunteers aged from the secondary one age bracket up to 25 years. To be in the running for an award, the judges look for evidence of personal development and service which has been beneficial for the community. The club, whose motto is Service before Self, aims to encourage young volunteers to make volunteering a way of life and continue that ethos into adulthood. The winner receives a specially commissioned plaque and prize money of £500, which is split into £250 for the volunteer and £250 to the organisation which has supported them.

The winner this year was Claire Antonio for her work with the Shetland Childrens' Rights Service. Claire has contributed to the Who Cares Scotland DVD (www.whocaresscotland.org) and is aso involved with the national consulation on the reform of the Scotland Children's Hearing system.

Many people, including young people, have never called themselves a volunteer. They may have been organising or assisting at a sports event, a fundraiser or at a local event, and consider they are just helping out with something they care about. Whether it takes the form of a regular ongoing commitment or occasional support for a cause, volunteering makes a positive contribution to the economy, the people who volunteer, their communities and the people they support. Volunteers’ Week aims to recognise and show appreciation of these efforts.

Anyone who would like more information on the awards,or who is interested in developing or sponsoring a future award should contact VAS youth development worker Kathleen Williamson at Shetland Youth Volunteering Awards, VAS, Market House,14 Market Street, Lerwick; telephone 01595 743910, email kathleen. williamson@ shetland.org or you can visit the website at www.shetland-communities.org.uk