Hundreds of young East Ayrshire people were recognised and celebrated at the very first Young People, Sport and Diversion Team Awards Evening.
The new event, part of a series of awards events to be hosted by East Ayrshire Council Vibrant Communities Young People, Sport & Diversion Team, was created following an extremely successful Year of Young People campaign 2018. One of many recommendations from the Children and Young People’s Cabinet to come out of the year was the inauguration of an annual recognition event to celebrate success of young people.
The evening recognised the accredited qualifications that young people in East Ayrshire achieved by participating in various awards including, but not limited to; Saltire Awards, Duke of Edinburgh Award, John Muir Awards and the Sports Leaders Awards. The qualifications were gained through participation in both education and community volunteering with all the young people involved demonstrating massive dedication and commitment.
The Outstanding Voluntary Achievement certificates were given to young people who regularly give up their own time to not only develop themselves but to represent the voice of young people in East Ayrshire. The recipients of this certificate have dedicated many hundreds of hours between them to co-design and co-deliver, in partnership with the Young People, Sport & Diversion Team, a number of high profile events for young people and have been shaping the sporting landscape for their peers by working closely with the East Ayrshire Sports Council.
Those who have overcome personal difficulties were awarded with the ‘Outstanding Personal Achievement’ certificate. They may not have achieved an accredited qualification this year but accomplishments in their personal journey are equally as significant and were rightly recognised.
Depute Provost Councillor Claire Leitch, who is also the Champion for Children and Young People, attended the evening and presented certificates to attendees said,
“It was fantastic to be part of an evening where again our young people in East Ayrshire are rightly recognised for their achievements. We have an abundance of talent throughout East Ayrshire and our young people are at the heart of it so I was delighted to present certificates to our worthy awards winners and I wish them all the very best”.
For more information about wider achievement in East Ayrshire and how the Young People, Sport & Diversion Team can support young people please contact Kerry Dair, Community Worker, on Kerry.dair@east-ayrshire.gov.uk