IN BRIEF
THE HIVE RECEIVES THE PRESTIGIOUS QUEEN ’ S AWARD FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE
TOP LEADERSHIP COACHES INSPIRE WIRRAL ' S YOUNG BUSINESS TALENT
The Hive Wirral Youth Zone has been honoured with The Queen ’ s Award for Voluntary Service , the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK .
In a special ceremony , which took place at the Youth Zone last month , the team were presented with the award by the Lord Lieutenant of Merseyside , Mark Blundell , on behalf of her Majesty the Queen , in recognition of the outstanding work undertaken by the charity ’ s army of volunteers .
Two volunteers are also expected to make the trip to Buckingham Palace in May 2022 to attend a special garden party , along with other recipients of this years ’ award .
The Hive works with up to 3,000 young people each year from across Wirral , giving them , somewhere to go , something to do and someone to talk to . Operating seven days a week young people can choose from over 20 activities each day including sports , arts , music , climbing , cooking and much more , all of which is underpinned with developmental and support programmes such as young leaders ’ courses , employability schemes and a mentoring programme . The entire programme is designed to raise aspirations , enhance prospects , improve health and wellbeing and enable young people to be the best possible versions of themselves .
Volunteers are key to making a difference to young people , with more than 80 bringing skills , experiences , passion , commitment and time , giving thousands of hours each year .
The Hive is one of the QAVS awardees given a special designation for providing impactful support to the community in response to the pandemic last year
The Hive is one of 241 charities , social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive the prestigious award this year . The number of nominations remains high year on year , showing that the voluntary sector is thriving and full of innovative ideas to make life better for those around them .
Stuart Barnes , The Hive ’ s CEO says : “ I am beyond delighted that The Hive has received the Queen ’ s Award for Voluntary Service , it is fantastic recognition and a tremendous thank you to all those who have given so much and consistently gone “ the extra mile ” putting young people first .”
Two of the region ’ s most influential leadership coaches have joined forces with Merseyside Community Training to help and inspire young people on their business journeys .
Steve Gore and James Aspden , co-owners of KOAP Ltd , have become MCT ’ s first corporate partners as it expands to develop the next generation of local entrepreneurs and build employability skills throughout Liverpool City Region . Their role will be focused on growing the entrepreneurial ideas of MCT ’ s young talent , raising awareness of key routes to furthering their business ideas and acting as mentors to young people on the organisation ’ s training and development programmes , supporting and guiding them as they prepare for further education and employment .
Steve , who has spent a working lifetime in senior management and training and development in the international technology sector , said : “ Some of the best companies in the world are being led by people whose main driver of success is total passion for what they do . There ’ s already so much excitement and enthusiasm among the young people at MCT whose start-up businesses are beginning to get off the ground and we can ’ t wait to begin working with them to help take them further down the entrepreneurship route . They already have the passion to succeed - now the next steps are to keep this burning and , most importantly , become personally fulfilled by their achievements . This will be a true mirror of their success .”
Merseyside Community Training , a not-for-profit organisation with headquarters in Birkenhead , began trading a year ago to set the most disadvantaged out-of-work young people on Wirral on the road to employment by offering them work experience placements with local organisations . Since then - but still targeting those most in need - it has expanded its operation into the wider Liverpool City Region , delivering ambitious and innovative community-based projects which have social value as well as making an impact on the local economy .
At its Young Entrepreneurs Academy a group of young people are being nurtured and given vital professional advice to turn their original business ideas into a reality . Already 11 young people are currently on the road to becoming their own boss , creating their own financial independence and their own workforce . Working in a hands-on environment over the past year , they have been setting their own business goals , drafting their core values and identifying what ’ s important to them as they grow their operation . Most importantly , they have had to decide what they can eventually “ give back ” to their local community by initiatives such as volunteering , charity fundraising or sharing work experiences .
8 wirrallife . com