Overall commitment to volunteering

Overall commitment to volunteering 

The Overall Commitment to Volunteering award celebrates volunteers who are who are enthusiastic, full of ideas, make things happen and make anything seem possible. They have made a positive contribution to everything they have been involved, are 100% committed to volunteering and ready to chew your ear off about how great it is.

Adam Yasir

Adam Yasir, 20, started volunteering when he came to Croydon as a refugee from Croydon.  He was inspired by British volunteers who had helped his family in his refugee camp.

The things I get most out of volunteering are…
Being a part of my community, as well as developing new skills, boosting my career opportunities, meeting new people, forming lasting friendships and new interests.

My volunteering has made an impact on the people I help by…
It's opened doors of opportunities to many young people to participate by campaigning and making positive changes within their communities. My volunteering has challenged the negative image that the press and the media have about young people.

Being nominated for a vInspired National Award makes me feel…
I am deeply honoured, even though I was not seeking any recognition for my volunteering. But I just wanted to contribute to my community in a way that others contributed to my life and I would like to take this opportunity to thank Lee Townsend and the team at Croydon volunteer centre and also the vInspired team; as well as my friends and colleagues during the campaign. They are equally responsible for me been nominated for the award.

If I were Prime Minister for the day, the one thing I would change would be…
If I was the Prime Minister for the day, the one thing I would change would be to found a national youth project such as vInspired, not only to provide opportunities for young people but empower and help them make positive contributions to their society through support.

Danika Hamilton

Danika Hamilton, 24, has used her own experiences of homelessness and depression to help other young women on the Manchester Active Voices SENSE programme.

The things I get most out of volunteering are…
I think the things I most get out of volunteering are the learning opportunities which are available and which I’ve also been given. 

My volunteering has made an impact on the people I help by…
Helping them grow in confidence and people know I’m willing to help and support them best I can. 

Being nominated for a vInspired National Award makes me feel…
It makes me feel nervous thinking about the big night, but being nominated also makes me proud at my good work and hopefully others see I’m 100% committed to doing what I do and where I want to go. 

If I were Prime Minister for the day, the one thing I would change would be…
That every young person would be given a choice to study or learn what they want to help them get where they want to go in life. 

Lydia Burnside Hughes

Lydia Burnside Hughes, 20, was inspired to volunteer with the elderly after the death of her grandmother and is now Volunteer Northumbria Ambassador for Volunteering with Older People.

The things I get most out of volunteering are…
The amazing relationships with the people I meet whether they are other volunteers or the people who have benefited from whichever project or fundraiser I’ve been doing. I’d never pass up the opportunity to learn from the incredible people I encounter.

My volunteering has made an impact on the people I help by…
Building bridges between the student community in Newcastle and older people in the local area. The project I run ( tea dances) and the others I support as an Ambassador have improved the relationship between student and the elderly and been a lot of fun.

Being nominated for a vInspired National Award makes me feel…
Shocked! I’ve never thought of the things I’ve done as being ‘award worthy’ and I’ve already gained so much from volunteering. But it is lovely to be told someone has recognised what you’ve done and I’m so grateful. 

If I were Prime Minister for the day, the one thing I would change would be...
I’d improve communication to people at school and college level about the decision made by Government - before we even reach voting age, we should be involved and included. Young people opinions DO MATTER.