Recognising the Inspiring Contribution of Young Volunteers

For three days, a beautiful studio in Regent’s Park was buzzing with inspiring young people sharing their stories over pizza. This weekend, I had the immense pleasure of meeting the vInspired National Awards finalists during the filming of their interviews for the awards ceremony on March 22. Each finalist had their own incredible story to tell, demonstrating a humbling attitude of selfless giving.

From the farthest points north to just a short walk away, young volunteers are achieving incredible feats across the country. As a member of the Youth Advisory Board, my role is to advise and engage with these finalists. I found myself completely enchanted by each one. My role as an ‘assistant checklist ticker’ evolved into ‘chief checklist ticker,’ a duty I performed with vigor.

Each finalist was understandably nervous about their interviews, but their achievements shined through, reflecting their authenticity and genuine love for their work. I feel honored to have played a role in the creation and curation of each story. Along with other Youth Advisory Board members, I’m eagerly counting down the days until the National Awards.

These awards are not about celebrities or glamour; they celebrate young people. Each volunteer expressed humility, unable to understand why they were chosen. This humility is precisely why they should be celebrated.

Every nominee, regional winner, finalist, and eventual winner has made a positive impact on their local or even national community. These individuals who dedicate their time to change lives in innovative and inspiring ways deserve recognition, highlighting the amazing work of volunteers across the UK.

For more about our finalists, check out How we made sure the 2012 National Awards were truly powered by young volunteers and 2012 vInspired National Awards finalists announced.