Young Achievers recognised by Police Authority
Posted on 23rd November 2009
Young Achievers recognised by Police Authority
Nottinghamshire Police Authority has formally recognised the achievements of Nottinghamshire's young people in combating crime and improving the quality of life in their communities.
A wide range of different projects were submitted for the Authority's Jean Varnam award, an annual award in memory of the former Magistrate member of the Authority, Mrs Jean Varnam OBE. Each year the award recognises different elements of community policing, one of Mrs Varnam's key priorities. This year the award was designed to highlight the excellent work of Nottinghamshire's teens when it comes to addressing local issues.
John Clarke, Chair of the Police Authority, said: "There are a great many young people working really hard to make communities safer and it is a shame when you hear stereotypical judgements that young people are all out to cause trouble. We saw a wide range of projects that prove how much good work being carried out.
"All the projects that were submitted for consideration deserved recognition and it is a shame that they can't all win. I am impressed at the number of young people out there, helping others to keep out of trouble."
The overall winner of this year's award was Sarah Thompson, who also received an iPod for her efforts.
Sarah, who is 18 years old, organises football training three times a week and dance sessions for young people in the Manton area. She also spends a considerable amount of time working with young people to establish what type of activities they would most like to see in the area.
Two projects were judged ‘Runners up' - Ashlyn Muir and Bethany Pocket for their work as peer mentors for Broxtowe Youth Homelessness project and Simon Booth for his work as a role model on the Positive Activities for Young People in Worksop.
Ashlyn and Bethany go into schools and speak to Year 11 students to raise awareness of youth homelessness issues in the Nottinghamshire area and Simon works with young people aged between 8 and 15 years old who are at risk of becoming disassociated with education, getting involved in crime or having no future aspirations.
The next Jean Varnam Award will be given to a person or project that effectively tackles anti-social behaviour in communities. To find out more or to nominate someone, please look on the Nottinghamshire Police Authority website for more details (http://www.nottinghamshire.pnn.police.uk/) or contact the Colin Handley at the Police Authority on 0115 977 2958.