PICTURES: Special award for young achiever nominee Jack as group of Tain volunteers recognised in Easter Ross
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A crowd of almost one hundred people attended an awards presentation last week to recognise the efforts of young volunteers in Tain.
Last year alone, Tain Youth Cafe's band of school age volunteers offered up their time to assist several organisations within the local area, totalling 2470 volunteering hours.
In recognition of their commitment, a total of forty Saltire and Dynamic Youth award certificates were handed out at the group's annual awards night on Wednesday February 8.
A special certificate of recognition was also reserved for youth committee member, Jack Ross.
16-year-old Jack, who attends Tain Royal Academy, was this year nominated for YMCA Scotland's prestigious Young Achiever of the Year Award and was shortlisted down in the final three.
Youth coordinator Kats Macleod said: "Four years ago, Jack was nominated onto the Tain Youth Cafe youth committee by his fellow peers. He has become one of their most prominent and valuable members, with his fellow peers describing him as helpful, kind, friendly and welcoming. Since joining the youth committee and PA crew, he has volunteered 219 Saltire hours with the youth cafe as well as other local organisations.
"Jack has overcome personal challenges as someone with dyslexia to achieve a Dynamic Youth Award through the Youth Cafe. This has enhanced his confidence – he is more open with his peers about his challenges and is now talking about the future. He is staying on at school for another year and is talking of his hopes to become a fireman.
"We at the Youth Cafe are just so incredibly proud of all of our award winners. We are surrounded tonight by several young people who I think are just the most amazing group of individuals.
"This evening is our way of celebrating the work they have done, and continue to do."
Including Jack, a total of 36 young volunteers were presented with nationally recognised Saltire awards in acknowledgement of their contribution to the local community, with hours ranging from 10 to 200 hours.
Eight youngsters also received Dynamic Youth Award certificates, for work involving shell art, learning to cook in the YMCA kitchen and studying for and passing their Level 2 in food safety certificate.
Lord Lieutenant of Ross and Cromarty, Mrs Joanie Whiteford, was on hand to present the awards to the recipients.
Ms Macleod added: "These amazing individuals volunteered with 21 different organisations within our local community and in doing so have amassed a total of 2470 volunteering hours – and that is just in 2022 alone!
It is important to remember that they are volunteering because they want to – they are not being forced to do it. They do not get paid for the hours completed. They do it for the benefit of our community, society at large and for themselves.
"Through their volunteering journeys, they gain new skills and experiences, meet new people, make new friends, but most of all – they have fun."
