Supporting Young Co-operators

The Southern Membership & Community Council have been supporting Blaby District Council's local volunteer awards for a few years, and in addition to presenting the young co-operator of the year award, we also take part in the short-listing for all of the awards.

Young Person(s) Runners-Up

This year our runners-up were a group of four outstanding pupils from Winstanley School: Amara Emejuru, Dion Grey, Namakau Sibongo and Rachel Rupondo -the juding panel couldn’t split them!

They’ve all committed their time to get involved in some very important extra-curricular activities. All four are Stephen Lawrence Ambassadors within the school and have activities for Stephen Lawrance Day on 22 April such as speaking publicly in assemblies and at special events. This included representing the school at the Stephen Lawrence Research Centre at De Montfort University – what an achievements

They’ve been involved in Blaby District Youth Council’s campaign about hate crime and they have helped shape the Multi-Academy Trust’s anti-racism policy and delivered training to other students, staff and governors. They’ve also helped organise the annual Great Get Together events to celebrate diversity within school and the wider community

The member of staff who made the nomination said of the group:

"Their work has been invaluable in creating open discussions about racism, influencing policy and spreading awareness which makes a real difference to students and young people of colour to have the confidence to speak out about injustice, be aspirational and make positive changes within our community. Their work cannot really be quantified in any way, but their influence on others’ attitudes and especially within our school community is huge, impactful and ongoing. They really are a fearless group of young people".

Young Person's Winner – Hannah Farrands

 Hannah turned 18 towards the end of last year and has been part of Girlguiding Leicestershire since she joined Rainbows aged seven. Hannah has moved up through the girl guiding ranks before becoming a young leader at 2^nd Countesthorpe Brownies where she’s now an integral part of the leadership team running a unit of 30 brownies aged 7-10 years. She has done this for four years now, every week as well as giving up some weekends to support the group on residentials or special trips and introduced new activities to the group. Hannah has done all this despite having to overcome a number of complex, personal health struggles.

It’s meant Hannah has been able to support girls in the group experiencing similar health challenges to help them achieve their potential, making adaptations where needed. Not to mention Hannah is also doing a college course in education and teacher training.

Hannah’s nomination was made by another leader within the Brownie Group and some direct quotes from the nominations highlight just how special and highly regarded Hannah is:

“Hannah simply makes time for every single Brownie to be seen, heard and respected. Our unit has changed and become more inclusive, more adaptive and certainly more fun because Hannah is a part of our leadership team”

“A modern approach is what Hannah brings to Brownies which has helped me as a leader of more than 25 years”

“She is a true inspiration and a testament to how Girlguiding done well can grow a girl into a young woman who brings a positive impact to the lives of others”

The panel were in awe of Hannah, particularly her ongoing commitment and choice to continue to volunteer into adulthood and whilst she has so many other responsibilities.

We are sure you agree that all the young people are worthy of their awards/