Year 9 students at Woldgate School in Pocklington received their Archbishop of York Youth Trust’s Young Leaders’ Award today in a Special Awards Ceremony to celebrate their volunteering work in the local community.

161 students were involved in projects to make an active difference in their communities, both as groups and individuals.  The students organised a school fair, using their own ideas and money to set up stalls, raising over £500 for the children’s charity Unicef. A smaller group of students also visited Wold Haven, a local care home, where they served the residents with tea, homemade cakes and biscuits, read with them and chatted about their memories of the past. All students, as part of their individual challenge, carried out acts of kindness, peer mentoring younger students, raising money for charity and helping elderly friends and relatives.

Prior to volunteering, students had spent time in their Philosophy and Ethics lessons developing their leadership skills; exploring faith, leadership and the role of charities; and creating a personal action plan to make a positive difference in their local community.

Elizabeth Howat from The Archbishop of York Youth Trust presented the Awards, saying:

“I am delighted to see how you have approached the Award with such enthusiasm and commitment. You have obviously achieved an incredible amount with both your personal and community projects, which have clearly had a really positive impact on many people. It is fantastic to hear about the huge range of people you have worked with and supported. You really are embracing and living the award strapline ‘be the change you want to see.’ Well done to you all.”