Sport students from Central College Nottingham have had their volunteering achievements recognised after being honoured with a prestigious Lord Lieutenant Award for ‘Promoting Voluntary Service.’
The College is one of twelve local organisations honoured as part of the Queen’s 90th birthday celebrations earlier this year (the other 11 winners are all schools). The Lord-Lieutenant introduced a new award scheme for schools and colleges who actively promote volunteering and charitable work. The award recognises that volunteers play a vital role in society whilst also gaining a tremendous sense of personal achievement.
Sir John Peace, Lord-Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire presented the award to sport student Bethany Parr at the College’s Student Awards ceremony on Saturday 5 November at the Albert Hall (Nottingham).
In total around 170 students amassed over 4500 volunteering hours during the 2015/16 academic year with placements at local primary schools, leisure centres and community organisations. One of the largest projects took place at the Nottingham Tennis Open event in June when 70 students helped at the mini-tennis festival involving 4500 local school-children.
Sir John Peace, Lord-Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire, said: "Central College’s sport department has made volunteering a central part of their curriculum to the benefit of the both the students and the local community. The voluntary work undertaken in support of the Nottingham Open Tennis Tournament is truly inspiring."
Community Sport Manager Diane Garfield at Central College Nottingham said: “Our students put a lot of time into volunteering in the community and it’s a real honour for their efforts to be rewarded in this way.”
College student Beth Parr said: “I have grown in confidence so much since I started work experience and it has pushed me out of my comfort zone and made me try things I never thought I would be able to do. It will look great on my CV when I am looking for a job as it shows that I am willing to give up my time to help others.”