YOUNG PEOPLE IN SALFORD ARE GIVEN PRAISE FOR GIVING BACK TO THEIR COMMUNITIES

Young people in Salford have been praised for giving over 3,800 hours of voluntary service to their community.

The recognition comes from the national Duke of Edinburgh  (DoE) Award scheme which 362 teenagers aged 13 to 18 took part in last year through local schools and Salford City Council’s youth service. .

Organisers say the social value of the hours donated under the volunteering section of the award is £16,795. There are three sections to the award – volunteering, developing new skills and a physical challenge.

Deputy City Mayor Councillor John Merry said:

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“That is a fantastic contribution from young people in Salford and they should be very proud of their achievements.

“Doing the DofE Award is a chance to challenge yourself and discover new interests, skills and talents which stay with you for life. Employers value the award too and I know some young people have been hired for jobs because of what they have done in completing the award.”

 

Councillor Merry said the national scheme had been altered this year to help young people complete their awards despite the pandemic.He added:

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“I’m particularly proud of the way young people and the council’s youth service have risen to the challenge of the pandemic

“Young people have volunteered to help elderly neighbours and younger brothers and sisters with school work, developed new skills from music to sign language, pet care and bike maintenance and taken up cycling and running to keep up their good work. Our youth workers have also been busy doing DoE training so they can offer the award to more young people in the future.”