PICTURES: Easter Ross teenager welcomes eye-opening experience of organising Alness holiday play scheme for The Place
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THE "phenomenal" work of teenage volunteers ensured fun in the sun over four days during the school holiday break in an Easter Ross town.
The Place youth group has run holiday activities for several years while nurturing young upcoming talent from amongst its willing band of volunteers.
This year's events were masterminded in large part by 17-year-old Sophie Hynd who spoke afterwards of her gratitude working for "such a remarkable organisation".
She said: "I have volunteered for The Place since 2018. Play scheme is always my favourite time of year – it enables me to do something worthwhile during my holidays. The planning of Easter Play scheme was a completely new challenge for myself because I was given the role of the coordinator to plan, develop and deliver it.
"As a volunteer, I have gained experience and skills that are transferable for the career I intend to pursue. I now also have an extensive understanding of the lack of opportunities in Alness. Holiday hunger can be a huge problem within this area, so being able to limit this by offering access to hot meals every day throughout play scheme is something that helps the young people within the community in indescribable ways.
"I’m entirely grateful to work within such a remarkable organisation which has ultimately helped shape the person I am today.”
A spokesperson for The Place said: "Sophie, one of our young leaders, applied for funding to put on an Easter play scheme. She also planned and delivered aspects of the food, risk assessment etc. All four days of activities were young people led. The youth work team were there but very much in the background leaving them to it. The young leaders were phenomenal.Very proud youth leader moment!
"Alness has amazing young people."
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