A STAR evening of volunteering achievement

Middlesbrough’s volunteering spirit has been recognised at a special evening at the University.

The Middlesbrough Volunteering STAR Awards ceremony was held for the first time, taking place in the University’s Students’ Union. The ceremony was a joint event between the three partners of Teesside University, Middlesbrough Voluntary Development Agency and vinvolved, an organisation which supports volunteers aged 16 to 25. The event was supported by Middlesbrough Partnership.

It recognised the achievements of volunteers and organisations, with 19 awards given by Middlesbrough’s Deputy Mayor, Councillor David Budd, Garry Toulouse, Director of the University’s Student Services Department and Jack Harrington, Further Education Senior Officer, Volunteering England. Jayne Villiers, Volunteer Co-ordinator for the University said: ‘Nominations were invited from across Middlesbrough. There was an exceptionally high number of 150 nominations received, with some of those nominated as young as 16.

‘This was the first ever Middlesbrough Volunteering Star Awards and the ceremony recognised the impact of volunteers here and showed how their work benefited the community.’

fantastic work done by volunteers Les Southerton, Chair of Middlesbrough Partnership, delivered the closing speech at the event and commended the fantastic work done by volunteers in the town.

He said: ‘This event is a considerable endorsement of all that Middlesbrough is achieving. It’s been hosted by the University of the Year and the town has made phenomenal progress in recent years.

It’s refreshing to see the contribution that can be made by so many people through volunteering. This is vital to our community and I hope these awards become an annual event.”

Middlesbrough Deputy Mayor, Councillor David Budd added: ‘Middlesbrough and the Tees Valley have a wealth of volunteering enterprise and experience. Organisations such as the University and the local councils must do all they can to nurture, develop and grow this talent and expertise.

‘I am delighted to be part of this event which celebrates the skill, commitment and dedication of so many people who make an important contribution to our community life.’

Volunteers are priceless Michele Stewart, Volunteer Centre Manager at Middlesbrough Voluntary Development Agency, said: ‘The extremely high standard of nominations made the judging process incredibly hard, so the 19 award winners represented the true stars of Middlesbrough’s volunteers and volunteer-involving organisations. ‘It’s been said that volunteers aren’t paid because they are worthless, but because they are priceless. Their contribution to the local community and surrounding area cannot be underestimated and is greatly appreciated by those who receive their services and by the wider community.’

The University gave four awards, presented by Gary Toulouse, Director of the University’s Student Services: • Individual: Durham Tees Valley Probation Trust - Ashleigh Coney • Group: Crimestoppers Youth Award - Crimestoppers • Marketing and Media Award: Click Radio Volunteers • SUNEE Award: SUNEE Volunteering Programme. SUNEE stands for Sports Universities North East England, a partnership of the five North-East Universities which creates volunteering opportunities in the community - Michaela Summers.

Middlesbrough Voluntary Development Agency made 11 awards, presented by Deputy Mayor, Councillor David Budd: • Young Star Award: HEATS - Karl Robinson • Individual Star Award: Hope North East - Suzanne Murphy • Adult Star Award: Ormesby Hall Cricket Club - Barbir Noor • Senior Star Award: Victim Support - Liz Ward • 5 Year Star Award: Victim Support - Collette Quigley • 10 Year Star Award: Unite Mediation - Richard Westmorland • 20 Year Star Award: Berwick Hills Community Groups and Associations - Jim Teasdale • 30 Year Star Award: Cleveland Police – Ann Crysell • Star Trustee Award for the Unicorn Centre-Julie Elphee • Star Organisation Award: Victim Support • Star Community/Voluntary Group Award: Independent Living for Older People Volunteers. Four awards were made by vinvolved and were presented by Jack Harrington, Further Education Senior Officer, Volunteering England:

• Outstanding Young Volunteer Award: Lois Williams of Middlesbrough College / The Main Project • Leadership Award: Lauren Kane of King’s Academy • Outstanding Group / Teamwork Award: Faye Sawdon and Olivia McKeown of The Children’s Society Support Plus Project • Outstanding Contribution to Youth Volunteering Award: Philip Scarr of King’s Academy.

---