Dingwall Academy pupil’s record-breaking milestone demonstrates ‘recognising achievement in different ways’
A Dingwall Academy pupil has clocked up over 1000 hours of volunteering work — believed to be the highest number of hours achieved by a Highland youth volunteer.
S5 pupils at the Ross-shire school, and good friends, Alysha Bentley and Amelie Thomson, both volunteer at local schools.
Alysha began volunteering at St Clement’s school in Dingwall when she was 12 and has gained over 1000 hours since — which is believed to be a record among Highland youth volunteers.
Amelie, after encouragement from Alysha, began volunteering at Ben Wyvis Primary school around five months ago and has already earnt over 500 hours of volunteering work.
To mark their milestone achievements, the two young women were awarded with a gold and a silver High Life Highland Leader hoodie.
Dingwall Academy headteacher, Karen Cormack explained: “This is a great example of recognising achievement in different ways.
“It’s not necessarily about getting five Highers — as much as we celebrate that as well — it’s about recognising that achievement happens in lots of different ways. And through volunteering, you get so much back yourself.
“Denmark is one of the happiest places in the world — and one of the reasons for this is because they all volunteer. Alysha and Amelie are really brilliant, they are both amazing.”
Alysha, who is from Dingwall, shared what it is that she loves about volunteering.
She said: “I’ve been doing volunteer work at St Clement’s for three years now — I love watching them all learn new things and being a part of it by helping them.”
At each milestone for volunteering hours, the youngsters are awarded with different colours of hoodies from High Life Highland.
Having completed many of these milestones, Alysha said “my cupboards are full of these sweatshirts! It feels good to finally get this one… I’ve been waiting ages for it!”
Amelie, from Conon Bridge, explained how she got into volunteering: “I started doing it this year, around four or five months ago. Honestly, I started doing it because Alysha got me to come along! I began volunteering at the youth club, and then I did work experience at Ben Wyvis Primary during study leave — then it just stuck with me, and I go every Friday now.
“It’s boosted my confidence a lot, because you’re always talking to people and getting to know everyone as well. Getting the hoodie feels good, it’s kind of like a milestone.”
