Thank You Volunteers!

A huge thank you to all the volunteers who have supported our programmes over the last year 🙌

It’s International Volunteers Day on 5th December, and we wanted to take the opportunity to say a massive thanks to all those who have volunteered at our programmes over the course of the delivery year across our partnerships.

Research shows that the more interactions young people have with professionals, the more their life chances increase. Additionally, young adults who recalled ‘four or more employer contacts’ are five times less likely to be NEET (not in education, employment or training) than those who had no involvement.  The longer-term relationships with our athlete mentors is crucial for the success of our programmes but the short term impact volunteers can have can be huge. So when our young people are able to interact with volunteers from our partners it makes a difference!

Here are some examples of the fantastic opportunities volunteers from our partner organisations have provided young people:

Deloitte: A huge thank you to the Nottingham Deloitte team for volunteering at our Dragons' Den session this year at Redhill Academy. Your fantastic feedback provided invaluable insights to our young people as they presented their social action projects to support their local retirement home.

Mott Macdonald: We’re incredibly grateful to the Mott Mac Sheffield team for hosting our young people during their World of Work Day this year. Your time and expertise offered them a fascinating glimpse into the construction industry, helping them learn about teamwork, design, and the diverse opportunities in your field.

Obex Foundation: A heartfelt thanks to the Obex team for participating in our Dragons' Den session this year at Challney High School. Your thoughtful feedback empowered our young people to shine as they presented their social action projects. These projects focused on raising awareness about addictive behaviours like vaping, drugs, and mobile phone dependency, featuring a presentation and a campaign stall promoting healthy habits. Additionally, students worked on a Year 9 and 10 social action project aimed at protecting potential victims of domestic abuse.

Westfield Health: A special thank you to Westfield Health volunteers who have supported our young people in Sheffield for the last three years. By hosting the Dragon’s Den session at your office in the city, it provided a unique opportunity for young people to experience a work environment and breakdown any negative preconceptions.

AQA: We’re extremely grateful for the ongoing volunteer support from employees at AQA who not only support the logistics of our largest programme but also bring their experiences and enthusiasm to guide young people throughout their Unlocking Potential journey.

Thank you for enhancing young people’s experiences on our programmes!