A SUCCESSFUL initiative which supports young people into volunteering and training opportunities across Wiltshire received recognition at a national awards ceremony.
Wiltshire StreetGames Young Volunteer Academy won the award for Investing in Youth Leadership at the Street Games National Awards held at The University of Warwick earlier this month. The volunteer academy is delivered by Wiltshire Council and beat other shortlisted projects based in Glasgow and Stoke.
Jonathon Seed, Wiltshire Council cabinet member for leisure said: “Empowerment of young people through opportunity is right at the heart of what we are trying to achieve at Wiltshire Council and I have spent a good deal of time with our Street Games team over the past few years. I would like to congratulate them on their hard work and dedication, which has been deservedly recognised by winning this national award.
“Empowering young people into sports volunteering opportunities plays a key role in their development. Wiltshire Street Games puts this ethos right at the heart of its projects and has been highly successful in recruiting, training and placing young people into volunteering opportunities within their community.”
Maggie Rae, corporate director, said: “Winning this is award is excellent recognition for the fantastic work we are doing here in Wiltshire.
"Our aim is to build on this success and grow a generation of young people who lead sport as coaches, sports leaders and organisers in their own neighbourhood. This in turn will see more young people take part in sports and lead a healthier lifestyle by staying active.”
So far 35 young volunteers have signed up to the programme and now have various roles within their communities. They work across a range of youth lead projects including the Wiltshire Skate Series, Doorstep Sports Clubs and neighbourhood festivals.
For further information about the Wiltshire StreetGames Young Volunteer Academy and the wider StreetGames programme in Wiltshire please contact Danny Geeson via daniel.geeson@wiltshire.gov.uk.
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