Sophie scoops award
WHEN Sophie Fuller got pregnant at 16 it was a daunting prospect. But four years on she is using her experience to teach other teenage girls about the reality of having a child so young.
The 20-year-old single mum has been volunteering through Solent Youth Action for only two months and has just scooped an award for her efforts.
Sophie talks to groups of teens every Monday and Thursday at Eastney Community Centre, in Bransbury Park, Eastney.
She tells them the realities of being a young mum – the good, the bad and the ugly.
She is now one of a handful of people to be recognised in the Solent Youth Action Awards.
Sophie won the 'Fresh' award – given to a new volunteer who has achieved much in a short space of time.
She said: 'I wanted to help the girls. I was only 16 when I had my baby so I wanted to give them as much advice as possible about it. I wanted to give them an honest opinion on what it is like. It is very difficult.
'I definitely think that my experience has made a difference to them.'
Sophie, who lives alone with her three-year-old daughter Charlie Nothel in Perth Road, Eastney, says her life is now on the up. She has recently been offered a job with a health improvement service run by Portsmouth City Council called HIDS where she will be helping to promote baby-life checks for new parents.
'Volunteering has helped me to get this job,' she said. 'It has helped me go get the experience of interacting with young people.'
The awards were held on Tuesday at the Wedgewood Rooms, Southsea, to recognise the achievements of the region's best young volunteers, and more than 50 young people turned up to receive an award, or just lap up the atmosphere.
Certificates were also handed out to those who had volunteered over 50 or 100 hours in a year.
Local ska band The White Coats, who performed on the night, volunteered their time for free.
Other award winners included:
Lewis Clarke – Inspire Award – This award recognises a volunteer who can make anything seem possible through their outstanding commitment to the community.
TWO years ago Lewis was on the streets, getting into trouble with police and causing havoc.
The 18-year-old was voted the 'most likely to end up in prison' at his old school Miltoncross.
But after turning to Christianity Lewis found a new calling and decided to get back out onto the streets – to help people.
Lewis, of Lumsden Road, Eastney, has just clocked up 800 hours of volunteering in the past year and says it has turned his life around.
He has been volunteering with Solent Youth Action, the Respect Programme, Faith and Football and has even found the time to run his own football team. Lewis commits all his time to work with other young people to encourage them to progress and learn.
Speaking about the turning point for him, Lewis said: 'On December 18, 2007 I gave my life to Jesus, and I didn't want to do anything negative any more. I was offered a volunteering job doing sport with young people and it was really rewarding, not just physically rewarding, but rewarding inside.'
Lewis now runs a Sunday football league team and says he hasn't looked back since he began volunteering.
'I can't say no when they ask me!' he laughed.
Patricia Gavrilescu – Shout Award – This award recognises a volunteer who is truly passionate about an issue and has used their voice to raise awareness and get others involved.
ENERGETIC Patricia has only been volunteering since June last year, but by the end of the year had already made a huge impact on those around her.
The 18-year-old has been a big part of projects the Youth Action Team have run including the Big Lunch, Make a Difference Day, conservation clear-ups and Festive Favours.
The kind-hearted teen has also worked with disabled children, campaigned for climate change and raised awareness of the Copenhagen summit.
After receiving her volunteering award she said: 'It (volunteering) is altruistic and we need that.
'I have done a lot of stuff and met a lot of people.'
Patricia, of Newcome Road, Kingston, added: 'I have done 150 hours in the past year.
'My favourite bit was working with disabled kids at a school in Havant. We went to the New Forest and taught them skills like archery.'
Patricia wears her 'talk to me about volunteering' badge with pride and encourages others to get involved.
Amber Johnson – Energy award – This award recognises an individual or group of volunteers that has demonstrated outstanding support for and commitment to young people.
AMBER has just finished 150 hours of volunteering and won the award for her commitment to working with children at the Mary Rose School, Milton.
The 17-year-old decided to use her passion for sport to help others and has been helping with after-school sporting activities at the school for about nine months.
Amber, of Heidelberg Road, Southsea, said: 'It is just something that I wanted to do.
'Volunteering is very important to help people and give something back to the community. I do think more young people should be involved. It is a shock getting the award!'
Amy Boyson, 21, Charlotte Sackett, 19, Nathan Bulloch, 18 and Vuyo Stamper, 18 – Unite Award – This award recognises an individual or group of volunteers who create positive change in their community.
THIS triumphant team has helped to raise awareness of bullying throughout the region by forming an anti-bullying campaign in 2008.
The quartet of teens put together an anti-bullying DVD and got Portsmouth Football Club involved.
The campaign and DVD is touring Portsmouth schools and featured on the big screen in the Guildhall Square as part of anti-bullying week in November last year.
Amy, of Hayling Avenue, Copnor, now studying at the University of Plymouth, said: 'It was really hard work but it was great fun though.'
Nathan Bulloch, of Folkestone Road, Copnor, added: 'This (volunteering) has changed me as a person. It has helped to keep me off the streets.'
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Saturday 04 February 2012
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