On Thursday 30 March 2017 the second awards evening for the Stranraer Police Scotland Youth Volunteers (PSYV) took place at Stranraer Academy. Group Co-ordinator Constable Nicola Wilson states, “The evening was a great success and you clearly see what it meant to the volunteers, their friends and family.”
The evening commenced with the PSYV group marching in to the Hall with youth volunteer Heather Nicol providing the music on the pipes. The group then carried out a drill display prior to the commencement of the award ceremony.
The main award winners being Davy Belll, Adult Volunteer Of The Year, Rachel Baird Youth Volunteer Of The Year, Craig Wilson Leadership Award, Dylan McCurdy, Outstanding Contributor, Maria Denholm Commitment Award, Connor Howe and Chloe Trussler Police Knowledge Award and Alana McWhirter, Youth Volunteers Youth Volunteer Of The Year.
The youth volunteers also received their Saltire Awards, which recognised the number of hours volunteering they had carried out in the Community.
At the end of the proceeding constable Nicola Wilson was presented with the Police Scotland Youth Volunteer Bronze Award.
The award ceremony follows a successful and busy year for the PSYV, with the youths assisting at numerous events across the region and beyond, including the switch on of the Stranraer Christmas Lights, Remembrance Parades, Youth Beatz, Stranraer Half Marathon and the British Open at Troon.
Whilst the volunteer’s attendance at these events was much appreciated, the most successful of the activities they participated in during the year was the Christmas Shoe Box Appeal. The PSYV organised donations of food and clothing from local individuals and groups. The donations were then placed in shoe boxes and wrapped in festive paper prior to being distrusted in conjunction with the Food Train to vulnerable members of the Community in the lead up to Christmas.
Constable Wilson concluded, “It has been a wonderful year and I think it is clear the youth and adult volunteers alike get a great degree of satisfaction and enjoyment from their role.” She continued that the group would be striving to achieve the silver award and she hoped to see everyone again at the 2018 ceremony.
“I would like to thank the following groups and organisations for donating and sponsoring the trophies, Stranraer community Council, Portpatrick Community Council, Stranraer Football Club, Loreburn Housing Association, Dumfries and Galloway Housing Partnership, Building Healthy Communities, Police Scotland and the Wigtownshire Health and Well Being Partnership.”
Although the group is currently running at its capacity they will be recruiting again in the autumn. Anyone aged between 12 and 16 who is interested in becoming a member of the PSYV is asked to look out for adverts at Stranraer Academy, or alternatively, they can attend at Stranraer Police Station to discuss what being a Police Scotland Youth Volunteer involves.
