Volunteers continue to stand out for Denis Law Legacy Trust
Many youth programmes in Aberdeen and beyond rely heavily on the generosity and hard work of volunteers.
This is no different for Streetsport, Denis Law Legacy Trust’s flagship programme and ran in partnership with RGU, which operates week-nightly throughout the year with a team of dedicated volunteers around the city.
The children’s charity includes volunteers ranging from school pupils gaining leadership and coaching experience to older business professionals who gain respite from their everyday position to help give back to local communities.
Alongside staff, the team have been integral to Aberdeen’s streets for over 15-years now, providing regular sport and creativity sessions for young people in areas such as Torry, Northfield and Mastrick.
One such volunteer is Jenna Greig who has been volunteering for many years having initially been a Streetsport participant while attending Northfield Academy.
She was recently nominated as Young Volunteer of the Year at Aberdeen’s Sports Awards, deserved recognition for not only herself but also for all her peers too who dedicate several hours each week to help harness more active and friendly communities.
Hannah Clews, Streetsport Development Officer at Denis Law Legacy Trust, said: “Volunteers are such a huge part of our programme and we’re lucky to have a bank of them that are dedicated to helping young people across the city.
“Jenna, who is one of our longstanding Streetsport volunteers, regularly attends so many of our sessions and her nomination is great recognition for the hard work that everyone puts in”.
The Mastrick Youth Hub, for which Jenna and other volunteers have been pivotal at, has been hailed by the local Community Policing Team for helping to "reduce youth related anti-social behaviour calls" to "almost zero".
Other members of the team had the opportunity to speak to ACVO, the city’s third sector interface, about the work they do as volunteers and what they enjoy most about it.
Speaking at one of the sessions at Cruyff Court Neale Cooper, a free, unbookable, multi-sport arena built in the heart of Tullos, Dave Thompson said: “I know through personal experience how good sport is for you, not just physically but mentally and I think working with young people is a lot of fun too. Hopefully it makes a small difference to their lives”.
Dave, who is a Director outside of his hours as a volunteer, helps portray the selfless attitude of many volunteers throughout the city, and further afield, as well as their importance to such key programmes.
Abbie, a former volunteer who progressed to become paid staff before moving on upon graduation from university, added: “Streetsport is the backbone of the community and provides kids with a safe space to come have fun, get their exercise and make friends”.
Streetsport regular attracts over 400 participants per week in the winter and more than double that in the summer, highlighting just how necessary a reliable bank of staff and volunteers are. 2021 finished with more volunteering hours than ever before for that time of year while Nor-Dean, a volunteer of nigh 10 years, was presented with a 1,000hr certificate at the Trust’s prestigious Annual Fundraising Dinner for what is an unbelievable achievement.
Findlay Harkins, Streetsport Volunteer Coordinator, also discusses the programme and his gratitude for all the volunteers who turn out. You can hear from him and many others in full by watching the video in its entirety below.
Streetsport sessions are held across Aberdeen throughout the week, 50 weeks of the year. Denis Law Legacy Trust is always on the lookout for new volunteers and would love to hear from anyone who may be interested.
For more information on the programme and its locations, please visit denislawlegacytrust.org/Streetsport, to become a volunteer please visit denislawlegacytrust.org/volunteer.
Thank you to ACVO for filming and giving us permission to publish on our website. You can view the latest ACVO News, which includes this feature, here.