StreetGames volunteer gets rewarded

Jason Sarginson a volunteer with the StreetGames project, run by Stoke-on-Trent City Council Sport and Leisure Services, was awarded the Stoke-on-Trent Young volunteer of the year award at a presentation night at Joiners Square Community Centre on Jan 22nd.

 

Jason has been volunteering with the StreetGames programme since April 2010. The StreetGames programme involves delivering multi-sport activities to young people aged 8-18 throughout the city of Stoke-on-Trent in order to give the young people something positive to participate in during their leisure time, whilst reducing anti-social behaviour in that locality.

 

Jason begun volunteering on a couple of evenings a week but enjoyed it so much that he was soon volunteering every night of the week, often doing 2 sessions each evening. During the school holidays he was assisting with sessions during the day and embarked on a volunteer placement within the office, assisting with the promotion of sessions and monitoring and evaluation.

 

Jason was very helpful both in the preparation of the Stoke StreetGames festival as well as its delivery on the day, including refereeing some of the football matches. Later in the summer of 2010 the West Midlands StreetGames festival was held in Birmingham, Jason also volunteered here and was awarded “Volunteer of the Day”.

 

Due to all his hard work Jason was nominated for the annual Stoke-on-Trent young volunteer awards including the ‘Spirit Award’ which is for the volunteer who best embodies the spirit of volunteering. He won this and along with the other 6 category winners went in to the final of the Stoke-on-Trent Young Volunteer of the Year Award, which he won, this was presented by Stoke City defender Ryan Shotton.

 

Through his volunteering Jason has formed a good rapport with all manner of young people from across the city. He has grown in confidence and has gained a number of valuable skills and experiences. Partly due to this he has now progressed on obtain paid work with Port Vale Football Clubs Community Programme where he is now utilising his newfound skills.

 

David Hardwick
StreetGames Officer
T: 01782 235001
E: David.hardwick@stoke.gov.uk