Kelly tells her own story:

“I was already a member of St John Ambulance when my line manager suggested that I look into the UK Youth Platinum Award. I thought it would be a great way for me to become more involved with the organisation, whilst gaining a great new accreditation.

“My Challenges revolved around the 5-10 year old members of St John Ambulance, known as Badgers. The Challenges I set myself were to:

• bring together more young people through county-wide events;
• start a new Badger group in a new area;
• run First Aid competitions within the County for Badgers;
• support members to achieve the Badgers highest Award, the Super Badger Award.

Highlights

“The highlights of working on my Challenges has been achieving my goals, seeing the Badgers enjoying events I have organised and gaining new experiences, knowledge – and, most of all, new friendships.

“I was very proud of my achievements and the young people at two events in particular. One was the Awards ceremony we held to celebrate the achievement of the Super Badger; this was the first time the Badgers had been invited and they were beaming with joy to be there. The other was at the recent party, where 63 badgers from around the county came together in Hull to celebrate the 25th anniversary of St John Badgers.

"I hope to remain in the organisation and I’m looking towards being in a role where I can carry on providing opportunities for the young people and encouraging them to be involved."

Amlin Platinum leadership

Kelly is one of 10 young people from around England who were supported complete their Platinum Youth Achievement Award, with funding from Amlin. The young people (aged 18+) were challenged to take on a leadership role in their local community, supported directly by UK Youth.

The commitment involves training, a placement working with young people in their communities and accrediting their work through UK Youth's Platinum Youth Achievement Award. The success of the first cohort has meant that Amlin has agreed to continue their support for another year.

Kelly adds: “The main thing that I have got from this whole experience is a gain in confidence and been able to freely speak to people I have never met as well as been able to confidently provide a presentation to new people, which is something I could never do before starting this Award.

“I would like to think that by doing this Award I will be able to apply for more senior volunteering roles and provide guidance and support to others. I have two young daughters and I hope in the future they become Badgers and have a much fun being a member as I am having now!”

Click here for more about Youth Achievement Awards.