Ormlie Junior Warden Scheme Recognised By Community Awards

23rd September 2013

Highland Council Tenants Awards winners announced.

Winners of the first Highland Council Tenant Community Awards sponsored by The Co-operative Membership are:

Estere Vitola of Cromarty, who received Young Person of the Year;

Cameron Semple, Golpsie who was awarded the Good Neighbour award;

Kay MacDuff received the Individual Award for Making a difference in Kinlochleven; and

Amy Cameron and Lani Jones, second year pupils from Thurso High School who were representing the Ormlie Junior Warden Scheme which won the Group Award.

The awards were presented by Melanie Newdick of The Co-operative Membership, and Tina Luxton, Highland Council Area Housing and Property Manager at the fifth Highland Council annual Tenant Conference last weekend (Saturday 21 September) at the Merkinch Community Centre in Inverness.

Nominations were judged by a panel of three including: a representative from Highland Tenants Together; a pan Highland Group of active tenant volunteers; a representative from The Co-operative Membership which supports and encourages community action; and a representative from the Council�s Housing and Property Service.

Councillor Dave Fallows, Chairman of The Highland Council�s Finance, Housing and Resources Committee said: �Congratulations, to those who received awards but also to those who were nominated by their peers and their communities � they are all winners for receiving this recognition.

The winners of each category received a �50 Co-operative gift card, commemorative certificate and trophy from The Co-operative Membership.

Jennifer McLeod, member of the conference planning group said: �We were delighted by the large number of nominations we received in all categories. It was so inspiring to find out about the kindness of so many good neighbours and the enthusiasm of the many volunteers who work away quietly in the background to make a difference in their communities. We look forward to honouring more volunteers in next year�s awards.�

In Thurso the Ormlie pilot project (The Junior Warden Scheme) with Thurso High School and Highland Council. This was a 12 week project with first year students from the High School, encouraging greater participation of young people within their community. The pilot scheme has consisted of a number of visits- Police and Fire Stations, Animal Rescue and Key Housing, as well as community walkabouts around Thurso with Highland Council Wardens and other visits and talks from different individuals and organisations. Once ther junior wardens had completed the scheme they received Saltire Awards (youth volunteering awards). This experience for many has been their first volunteering role.

PHOTO
Estere Vitola of Cromarty, winner of the Young Person of the Year Award is pictured (middle) holding her certificate as are Junior Wardens Lani Jones and Amy Cameron from the Ormlie Junior Warden Scheme.