The Power of 10 scheme has shown what can be possible if a community works together to provide a nurturing and supportive environment for our young people.
During 2023 we shared updates from our Volunteering City of Ripon Project in this column. Over the last 18 months, as part of the Heritage Lottery funded Skell Valley Project, it has been a wonderful collaboration of partners, supporting local young people to explore the power of volunteering and the benefits it brings to both themselves and their community.
Following successful training events, in collaboration with Ripon YMCA, several local organisations opened their doors to young volunteers for the first time, developing and offering meaningful volunteering opportunities.
Now building on this evolving pilot scheme, HADCA is delighted to start 2024 with the positive news that we have been successful in securing funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund via North Yorkshire Council for 12 months. This will enable us to embed the Power of 10 volunteering scheme into the Ripon community, working closely with youth groups, schools, businesses, voluntary organisations and of course local young people.
We will support the provision of good quality volunteering opportunities to inspire young people, enabling them to develop their potential and explore opportunities they may not normally have. On achieving 10 hours of volunteering, young people receive the Power of 10 awards and rewards, in recognition of their commitment and hard work. They can then progress to achieve up to 100 hours and their Power of 100 award!
Power of 10 Co-ordinator Jo Thackwray said: “2023 saw many wonderful achievements with over 60 young people, aged from 9 to 17 years, receiving their Power of 10 awards. Four of our young volunteers each achieved 100 hours of volunteering, including the winner of Young Volunteer of the Year at the St Wilfrid’s Stars Awards. We were also very proud to welcome Clare Granger, High Sheriff of North Yorkshire and Nabil Abbas, Skell Valley Project Manager, to present awards at our celebration events.”
“These are such inspiring results to build on in 2024. The Power of 10 scheme has shown what can be possible if a community works together to provide a nurturing and supportive environment for our young people. A big thank you to everyone who has been involved along the way.”
If you are a youth group, individual, school, business or voluntary organisation who would like to know more please email JoanneT@hadca.org.uk as Jo would love to hear from you.
If you are a young person who has volunteered for 10 hours or more, please email Powerof10@hadca.org.uk so we can celebrate your achievement and arrange your awards and rewards.
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