We are incredibly proud of our students who received three nominations at the Merton Civic Pride Volunteer Awards 2024, for the fantastic work they have carried out in the local community. Both staff and students attended the awards ceremony which took place on Friday.
Our Health & Social Care, Hospitality, ESOL and Foundation Learning students, who were all involved in the Age UK Merton Christmas Gift Campaign, were nominated by Age UK Merton in the Young Volunteer Team of the Year category. They made the final shortlist and learners Treesa and Megha received a certificate on behalf of all the students who took part in the campaign.
Students from our Aurora Provision received a nomination from the National Trust Morden Hall Park, for the conservation work they do with them, They achieved 2nd place within the category of Young Volunteer Team of the Year.
Skylar, a Level 3 Health & Social Care learner, was nominated by Focus Surrey for her outstanding contribution on her work placement and she was also runner-up in the Volunteer of the Year award.
Out of 500 nomation applications, to be shortlisted in three areas is a fantastic achievement and recognition of the support our students provide to locally based voluntary organisations.
Lecturer Phil Steventon, who works with our Aurora Provision students said: "Every Wednesday and Friday the Aurora Provision work experience group can be seen around our community at Morden Hall Park and Tooting and Mitcham Football Club. The group help to keep the sites tidy, but also create wildlife habitats, plant bulbs, flowers and trees, as well as look after public paths, ditches and community spaces. We were delighted to receive the runner-up prize at the Merton Civic Pride Awards in the ‘Young Volunteer Team of the Year’ category. Whilst we are very proud of the work the students do, to be recognised by the community in which we are based is particularly gratifying. The students conduct themselves extremely well amongst the public and brilliantly demonstrate that they are worth giving opportunities to, no matter the barriers they have to overcome to achieve."
