Volunteers who are part of the Community Partnerships Project are already making their mark at the Scottish Parliament. They recently delivered a presentation to MSPs and invited guests at a launch reception in the Garden Lobby hosted by Tricia Marwick MSP, Presiding Officer.
The Centre also had a chance to take part in the ‘Riding to Parliament’ which celebrated the Opening of the Fourth Session of Holyrood in the presence of Her Majesty the Queen. This was followed by an Open Day where staff and volunteers met the First Minister, Cabinet Secretaries and other dignitaries.
Volunteer Champion from Turnbull High, Bishopbriggs Lauren Mullen said:
“I had an absolutely fantastic day at the opening of Parliament; it was such a wonderful feeling to walk down the Royal Mile with all the cheering crowds waving flags and banners. After that meeting the First Minister was the icing on the cake!”
Volunteers and Staff meet Rt Hon Alex Salmond MSP – First Minister
Volunteer Champions Celebrate in Style
Volunteer Champions had a wonderful time at their Celebration Night on Monday 13th June in Turnbull High School.
Volunteer Champions is a partnership project developed between Volunteer Centre East Dunbartonshire and Turnbull High School to train young people to promote volunteering within their school and community.
The Event was hosted by the Volunteer Centre East Dunbartonshire (VCED) Schools Projects Leader, Luisa Palmegiani and Deputy Head Teacher, Danny McLachlan with an audience of VCED Staff and Board, Volunteer Champion’s parents, and Council Leader Rhondda Geekie.
Our Phase 2 Volunteer Champions, Hannah McAuley and Carrin O’Connell gave a presentation about the VCED and Volunteer Champions, highlighting what the Volunteer Centre does for the community and how successful the Volunteer Champions project has been.
We then had each of the Phase 1 Volunteer Champions presenting their own individual experiences of the project and what they will do with their new skills in the future. This was a tremendous achievement for all of the Volunteer Champions.
Luisa said; “It was a wonderful night and a great way to showcase the many achievements of the Volunteer Champions. It was also a perfect opportunity to say a huge thank you to all the Phase 1 Volunteer Champions who are leaving school and have been instrumental in developing the project. They each received a ‘Founding Member Award’ for their hard work and enthusiasm in creating this project. It has been a privilege to work with them!”
Councillor Geekie also awarded all the Phase 2 Volunteer Champions with their own ‘Volunteer Champions Award’ to highlight their good work, who next term will be trained as facilitators to give them the skills to help Luisa train the new group of Volunteer Champions in Turnbull High School.
Turnbull also received their ‘Volunteer Champions School Award’ for participating in the project, with Danny McLachlan receiving his very own ‘Thank You Award’ for his constant support and encouragement in developing this project. Look out for these in the trophy cabinet in the school reception.
If you would like any more information about the Volunteer Champions project please contact Luisa at the Volunteer Centre on 0141 578 6680 or luisa.palmegiani@vced.org.uk
Phase 1 Champions celebrating at Turnbull High
Volunteer Champions - New Recruits!
Volunteer Champions receive their certificates from Cllr Geekie, watched by Campbell Weir (Vice Chair) and Board Member, Gurpal Stickland
Our Phase 2 Volunteer Champions received their Certificate of Graduation on the 3rd March 2011 for completing their Volunteer Champions Training. Our Phase 1 Volunteer Champions also received their Certificate of Graduation for completing their Facilitation Training which also included training the new recruits.
We were joined by Councillor Geekie, who presented the certificates to the Volunteer Champions, along with the Head Teacher, Neil Roarty.
A huge thank you to all who came along to the Graduation, it was a great night for all and really showed the fantastic talents these young people have!
Also, a big thank you to Neil Roarty (Head Teacher) and Danny McLachlan (Deputy Head Teacher) for their constant support and assistant in delivering the project in Turnbull High school.
This year we aim to promote volunteering even further within the school and local community – look out for the Champions around the school and Bishopbriggs!
Keep an eye out for the Volunteer Champions’ photograph in the Kirkintilloch Herald soon!
If you would like your school be involved in the Volunteer Champions project please email luisa.palmegiani@vced.org.uk