Adventurous volunteers

by Rob Smith

Burngreave-initiated Community Recreation Volunteers scheme is running from Pitsmoor Adventure Playground, and this year it’s been more successful than ever before. Richard Fowler, initiator of the project and one of the senior workers, explained more.

“This is for older kids who use the playground, to give them an experience of working in the community recreation environment, and this time Rob, things have gone very well. This is a project I began a year ago with one volunteer.”

Now developed to involve eight young community volunteers, they have all been placed through a proper interview procedure with Katy Burnett of the Sports Development Project.

“After inductions to the project they have been placed on an art and craft training course and are due to do a sports development and coaching course,” added Richard.

I went to speak to some of these volunteers running about the playground. Leila Lindsay (13) said she’s has been working for 21 days, “I enjoy it very much, especially when younger kids look up to me and I can help them to have fun. We do games and have dancing sessions.”

Jade Johnson (11) also enjoys this kind of work and says she gets a lot out of helping other people.

“I enjoy being a volunteer because it’s fun,” added Mathew O’Callaghan (15), “We do things like football, drumming and help other kids play.”

Sarah O’Callaghan (13) said, “I enjoy being a community volunteer because it gives me some responsibility and I can help other kids here.”

Bethany Homar (10) smiled and told me it’s lots of fun, “And people, they get to respect you.”

Sharaz Noor also agreed that being a community volunteer was a new experience of learning how to be around younger children. Anton McPherson (15) said, “It’s really okay ya’ know, being a community recreation volunteer, we get lots of fun.”

For more information about the Playground call 203 9394.