Volunteer awards success for Bondholders

Enthusiasm Trust and Down to Earth Derby have both been recognised at awards recognising the city’s voluntary sector.

Both organisations enjoyed success at the Derby Volunteer Awards 2022, which were organised by Community Action and took place at Derby Museums’ Museum of Making.

Enthusiasm Trust, which is based in Cotton Lane, has been helping children from disadvantaged backgrounds reach their full potential since the charity was launched in 1992.

The organisation was presented with the Voluntary Community and Social Enterprise Award.

And 17-year-old Aaron Payne, who lives with his mum and his 13 brothers and sisters, was named joint winner of the Young Volunteer Award.

Born with a heart condition, Aaron was also diagnosed with epilepsy when he was 11 years old, a diagnosis which led to depression.

Today, he gives up at least three evenings every week to work with the young people attending Enthusiasm, running football training sessions alongside Derby County Community Trust.

He also helps to run school holiday activity clubs and is now training other volunteers in how they too can help Enthusiasm provide a safe place for young people.

Enthusiasm chief executive April Allman-Hayhurst said: “We were absolutely over the moon to win not one but two awards for our ‘amazing contribution’ and it is recognition of all that we have done to breathe new life into Enthusiasm.

“We are particularly proud of Aaron who is one of a number of young people who received help and support from Enthusiasm and are giving back to the organisation by giving up their own free time to support others.”

At the awards, Down to Earth Derby, which is seeking to revolutionise Derby’s urban environment through nature-based regeneration, was presented with the Grassroots and Innovation Award.

Since starting in May last year, its achievements have included planting over 1,000 trees in Chellaston and Alvaston, running workshop events at its allotment, working with the team behind the Eden Project, in Cornwall, to develop concepts for a huge new city centre wetland, a roof top garden at the Cock Pit, an innovative new urban farm at Riverlights and a secret garden bar at the end of Bold Lane.

Kim Harper, chief executive at Community Action, said: “Being a volunteer has never been more important.

“The pandemic brought people and communities together and it absolutely showed what we always knew, volunteers have a vital role to play in supporting strong communities.”