Meet Olivia Nightingale from Arnold. She’s one of the latest top young achievers to have been nominated for this year’s 4Uth awards.
The annual 4Uth awards recognise the outstanding achievements of young people across the county for a variety of different areas such as outstanding achievement, caring for others, making a vital contribution within a local community and overcoming adversity.
14-year-old Olivia, who lives on St Mary’s Close, has been nominated for the 4uth Achievement award, as she has been a positive influence and member of the youth centre since joining as a junior member in September 2015.
People at the centre said Olivia has grown in confidence and maturity encouraged other young people to join the club and regularly comes up with suggestions for the youth club programme.
Youth worker Cathryn Reade said: “Olivia values the provision here at Redhill Young People’s Centre, and the fact that there is somewhere for young people to meet up after school and in the evenings.
“Olivia has said that sometimes she felt low and lacking in confidence, but has been able to work on these issues at the youth club, through taking part in a range of activities, meeting new friends and talking with youth workers.”
After taking part in an activity day at the Mill Adventure Base in 2016, Olivia was keen to arrange an overnight residential for other young people in her age group. She was instrumental in organising a residential for eight young people, which took place in July 2017, and contributed greatly to the group planning process. During the residential, Olivia challenged herself through a number of adventurous and team building activities.
In 2017, Olivia expressed interest in volunteering opportunities to develop her personal and social skills, and to explore future career options in Health and Social Care. Since May 2017, Olivia has been volunteering at Gedling Sport Plus (GSP), a sports club for young disabled people.
Olivia has been interacting with the group members, showing respect and sensitivity to their issues, but not treating the group members as “other” or different. She also started to learn a few Makaton signs, as she recognises the value in new skills to communicate with others who have different learning and communication needs.
Maureen Fox, the group leader said that Olivia shows enthusiasm to help others, she is kind, empathetic and has formed positive relationships with the group members.
Since September, Olivia has been working on her Sports Leaders Award at school, and is aiming to use some of the practical skills she has learned with the GSP members.
Olivia’s mum Zanam said: “We have recognised a wonderful maturity and understanding of diversity and that Olivia has continued to grow in confidence and self-esteem as a result of her engagement with the Youth Service.”
Councillor Tracey Taylor, Vice-Chairman of the Children and Young People’s Service, at Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “We are delighted to hear that Olivia has been so involved in a wide range of activities which has helped her develop her confidence.
“She is helping her peers with her efforts and it is wonderful news that she has been nominated for this year’s 4Uth awards.”
For more details about the awards visit the Nottinghamshire County Council website: www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/4uth and #4Uth on social media.
