Wokingham

As part of National Youth Work Week, Wokingham District Council’s youth service in partnership with young people organised a celebration to congratulate all those who received national and local awards and certificates over the past year.

Over 80 young people attended the awards ceremony on Tuesday November 1 along with their parents and friends. Youth achievement awards celebrate the achievements of young Wokingham people who have gained a nationally recognised qualification for the activities and interests in which they are engaged. Local awards were also presented to the young people who have undertaken courses at one of the district council’s six youth clubs.

A group of young dancers from Wokingham Youth and Community Centre impressed the audience with a dance exhibition, which was followed by an opening address by district council chairman Cllr Iain Brown.

Before certificates and awards were presented, the young people gave a short presentation or display on each activity. Tom Monro from Twyford gave a presentation on first aid, followed by Roxy Webb from Wokingham who talked to the audience about the baby-sitting courses, which have been a huge success with local young people. And, Adam Swallow from Wokingham gave an interesting presentation about the Duke of Edinburgh’s award. Woodley youngsters Sophia Lemming, Kirsten Rankin, Ashley Scott, and Shelby Fry performed two scenes from the play The Shakers, which they have been studying as part of their youth achievement award. They hope to perform the entire play for family and friends in the near future.

Youth worker Rachel Bentham was carried into the council chamber in her canoe whilst she demonstrated canoeing techniques to the enthusiastic crowd. Rachel, who is well known by youngsters in Winnersh and Wokingham, is leaving the council to travel the Far East for six months, much to the disappointment of the young people she has worked with and influenced the lives of over the past 18 months.

Each young person received a commemorative certificate which was presented to them by Wokingham District Council’s vice-chairman Cllr Angus Ross and champion for youth and leisure Cllr Malcolm Bryant.

The evening ended with a street dance display by the Silverdale Youth Centre street dance group. In July these young dancers, along with those from Wokingham Youth Club who danced earlier on in the evening, performed in front of a packed international audience at the British Council in London to mark the first official event to celebrate the handover of the European presidency to the UK.

Nigel Shaw, head of youth service, said: “So often the feeling is that young people do nothing but ‘hang around’. It simply is not true and over the past year so many young people have taken part in a wide range of activities which they have received either local or national awards.

“In welcoming the young people to this event we are recognising for many that these awards haven’t come Photo: young people celebrate their achievements at a special ceremony held by Wokingham District Council’s youth service.easily and that behind each award is a personal learning journey beyond the award itself. Quite rightly this evening was a celebration of the young people’s achievements but it also enabled the district council’s youth workers to celebrate the achievements as well.”

Cllr Iain Brown, chairman of Wokingham District Council, said: “The district council’s youth service organise many great activities for young people to take part in. The activities are challenging and a good example of how young people and the youth service can work together. I would like to congratulate everyone who received an award and hope they continue to be inspired to take part in these activities.”

Wokingham District Council ~ November 14, 2005