AWARDS EVENING RECOGNISES ACHIEVEMENTS OF TOP VOLUNTEERS

22 Jan 2002 07:12 AM

Ivan Lewis, Minister for Young People and Learning, and world famous DJ Trevor Nelson, last night paid tribute to exceptional young people at the Millennium Volunteer of the Year Awards, held at Sound in London''s Leicester Square.

They awarded prizes to nineteen outstanding Millennium Volunteer (MV) regional winners, all aged between 16 and 24 years, ten of whom were chosen as winners of the MV Regional Newspaper Awards in their area.

The national MV of the Year was named as Jo Smyth. Jo, the regional finalist from Redhill in Surrey, was chosen because of her incredible work challenging perceptions of disability. She was presented with the MV of the Year trophy and prizes, and her project, Reigate and Redhill YMCA, received computer software vouchers.

Millennium Volunteers is a Department for Education and Skills initiative to encourage young people to build on their talents, passions and interests by volunteering for their community. It also encourages young people to put an ''MV on their CV.'' Over 50 employers and trade organisations have already pledged their support to the scheme. Speaking at the event, Ivan Lewis said:

''All Millennium Volunteers are special as they dedicate their free time to benefit others. The young people we have seen tonight have gone the extra mile in committing to local projects, and are making a real difference to their communities, as well as developing their skills and building on their talents and interests. We hope that more young people will get involved as by helping others, you can help yourself.''

He added:

''Jo Smyth has shown great courage and enthusiasm in the wide variety of work she has been involved in, which in many cases she initiated herself. Her work has been of lasting benefit to her community and she has made great advances in overcoming people''s perceptions of disability.''

Also speaking at the launch, Trevor Nelson said:

''Millennium Volunteers gives young people a chance to develop their skills, encourages them to follow their interests and pursue their dreams. I have volunteered and feel it is important to provide opportunities for others to do the same. It is a great feeling to contribute to society, whilst at the same time gaining from the experience yourself.''

Millennium Volunteers is actively supported by thirty MV Ambassadors who all believe in the importance of volunteering. These include Nick Hancock, Trevor Nelson, June Sarpong and Sally Gray, plus others from the world of media, sport, music and entertainment.

NOTES TO EDITORS

This Press Notice applies to England.

CASE STUDY OF WINNER: Jo Smyth won the National MV of the Year award. Jo, from Redhill in Surrey, has a visual impairment and also has cerebral palsy, which means she is wheelchair bound. She has been keen to organise activity where disabled and able-bodied people can have fun together. For example, her work ensured go-karts were adapted to allow disabled people to use them. Other activity she has been involved in has included organising a community drama group, making a film for the RNIB, introducing a recycling programme and working on the MV Youth Forum.

1. The finalists in the MV of the Year Awards are: - Lisa Boardman (Liverpool Echo MV of the Year) - Nyla Bogh (Birmingham MV Regional Winner) - Lucy Coleman (East Anglian Daily Times MV of the Year) - Daniel Cooper (Staffordshire MV Regional Winner) - Zara Cotton (Southern Daily Echo MV of the Year) - Mary Doyin Adisa (Lincoln MV Regional Winner) - Lee Finch (Blackburn MV Regional Winner) - Steve Jackson (Western Daily Press MV of the Year) - Paul Johnson (Wolverhampton MV Regional Winner) - Jemma Knowles (Croydon Guardian MV of the Year) - Nicola Pritchard (Leicester Mercury MV of the Year) - Abdul Qader (Sheffield Star MV of the Year) - Najma Rahman (East End Life MV of the Year) - Simon Rosenstone (Yorkshire Evening Post MV of the Year) - Debbie Sidsaff (Nottingham MV Regional Winner) - Kirsty Smith (Bedfordshire MV Regional Winner) - Jo Smyth (Redhill MV Regional Winner) - Tracy Steel (nee Timney) (Sunderland Echo MV of the Year) - Nichola Talbot (Wolverhampton MV Regional Winner)

2. Each MV of the Year entrant was nominated by their project manager, and finalists were chosen by a regional judging panel. The national judging panel consisted of Anne Weinstock, Chief Executive, Connexions Service National Unit, Peter Turner, Head of Community Services, Capital Radio London, and Susanne Raurprich, Chief Executive, National Council Youth Voluntary Services and Maria Javed, Communications Officer for the MV National Youth Forum.

3. MVs who complete 100 hours receive a certificate; those achieving 200 hours gain an Award of Excellence, signed by the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, Estelle Morris.

4. There are currently almost 200 projects running in England (separate arrangements exist in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland). Approaching 45,000 volunteers have participated in the MV programme to date, with almost 9,000 gaining Awards of Excellence (for completing 200 hours of volunteering). 59% of Millennium Volunteers have never volunteered before. 8% have a disability. MV is open to all young people aged between 16 and 24.

5. #47.75m was made available to fund Millennium Volunteers in England up to the end of March 2002. This included #12.75m from the windfall levy available over the lifetime of the previous parliament. #45m is available for Millennium Volunteers over the period 2001-2004. #30m of this is new money. To find out more about MV opportunities, young people can call the MV information line on 0800 085 1624 or access the website www.mvonline.gov.uk

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