A young volunteer for YMCA Plymouth has been awarded an Outstanding Volunteer Achievement Award, to acknowledge her enormous contribution to the charity for more than two years.
Kerri-Ann Phillips, age 19, has been lending a hand each week working with children and organising soft play sessions at the YMCA, which are managed by the charities Discovery College childcare team. Session leader and childcare tutor, Claire Kilpatrick said,
“Kerri-Ann is a fantastic role model for students and volunteers alike, she has shown an enormous dedication in helping deliver these sessions each week in her own time. Without help from her and the other volunteers, we wouldn’t be able to run these sessions, which provide a safe, affordable place for parents to bring their children.”
Kerri-Ann began volunteering when she was studying a Level 3 Childcare qualification at Discovery College which she successfully graduated from last year. While studying she was given the opportunity to launch YMCA’s new soft play club running on Thursday afternoons, and has stayed on as a volunteer ever since. In addition to volunteering at the soft play sessions, she’s also spent many evenings volunteering as a Student Ambassador for Discovery College, helping out with events and school open evenings. Speaking about why she does it, Kerri-Ann said it all stems from being enthusiastic about childcare.
“I love working with children and I’m passionate about childcare. I come from a big family, so it’s always been part of my life,” she said. “I was really surprised to get the award, I didn’t expect it at all. I’m very grateful, to get an award like this for doing something I enjoy. I’m very grateful to my tutors at Discovery College who were supportive and encouraging. The environment here helped motivate me to get involved as much as I could.”
Support services director, Vic Hibbert said:
“As a local charity we rely on the help of volunteers, and we wanted to acknowledge the contribution Kerri-Ann has made. We recruit volunteers in a range of roles across the organisation to provide services to the community. Without our volunteers, much of this work simply wouldn’t be possible.”
After graduating from Discovery College, Kerri-Ann is now studying a Level 4 childcare qualification and feels volunteering has helped just as much as her academic study in preparing her for a future career in childcare.
“I’ve been able to organise activities on my own, work with professionals here at the YMCA, and apply the things I’d learned during my course. Although I had work placements during my course, volunteering here has meant I can be more involved and develop my skills over time,” she added.
Offering advice for anyone wanting to get into childcare or volunteer in their community Kerri-Ann sid:
“The key thing is to have a passion for it. If you really love doing it, then that will drive you. It can be hard work sometimes and you have to put a lot in, but it’s really fun and rewarding too.”
If you’re interested in volunteering please visit ymcaplymouth.org.uk Or if you want to train for a career in childcare, visit discoverycollege.co.uk
