Volunteers awarded for their contribution to their communities.

A prize of £1000 was awarded to Joseph Banks as North Yorkshire Youth celebrated the achievements of some of their volunteers at 2 different award ceremonies in the same week.

Joseph Banks age 13 won the £1000 prize which will be given to a charity or community group of his choice. Joseph was awarded Young Volunteer of the Year at the North Yorkshire County Council Volunteer Awards, which were held on October 29th.   Joseph was a key contributor in the setting up the youth club at Huttons Ambo in Ryedale which he attends regularly.  Lilly Allenby Youth Development Worker for Ryedale nominated Joseph.  Lilly said ‘Joseph did an amazing job and consulted with young people in the area and presented his findings to the Village Hall committee’. Joseph has since gone on to raise funds for the village defibrillator.

David Sharp, chief executive said: “These young volunteers have set an enviable standard of commitment, are an example to others and fully deserve the recognition that these awards bring.”

Responsible for safeguarding, membership and the weekly programme at Boroughbridge Youth Club, which she played an integral part in setting up, Lisa Bentham won the Harrogate Volunteering Oscars held on 28th October.

Also a volunteer buddy as part of North Yorkshire Youth’s buddy network Lisa has already supported one young person and now is supporting her second.  Youth Development Workers Lenny (R) Lennon and Vicki Lever who nominated Lisa said that ‘Lisa is a hard working young person who gives a lot of her personal time to benefit other young people in and around her own community – this is on top of working full time as a business support administrator for NYCC Prevention Service and studying for a youth work degree through distance learning’.