Redbridge volunteers have been given a special presentation at Valentines Mansion to celebrate gaining a professional qualification.

Sixteen students of varying ages were awarded the NCFE level two certificates with many of them volunteering at Valentines Mansion as part of their qualification.

Cllr Thomas Chan, Mayor of Redbridge, attended the event and said,
"I am delighted to see local residents achieving their Level two qualifications in volunteering. They have gained skills and experience from the training programme and this will help equip them to build a more cohesive community in Redbridge.

London 2012 will be at our doorstep in just three years time and we need more volunteers to take part in order to make it a success. I would like to encourage more people from all backgrounds to come forward and take part in volunteering. You will certainly find it rewarding and beneficial, both to the individuals and projects you volunteered for as well as for your own personal development."

Margaret Partridge, Chair of Governors at the Redbridge Institute of Adult Education, were the qualifications were taken, opened the evening by praising each of the individuals and said she was thrilled at the recognition volunteering was now receiving.

The six day course consisted of two units - preparing students for working as volunteers and personal skills development and teamwork. A number of the students have gone on to volunteer at Valentines Mansion by room stewarding during the mansion’s open days.

Volunteer Malkeet Singh said,
“This course was an excellent confidence-builder and a great chance to meet lots of new people while building my work experience. Since the course I have regularly volunteered at Valentines Mansion and look forward to lending a hand at other activities within the community.”

A rendition of the Coldplay song ‘Trouble’ was performed by students from the Improvers Guitar Class at the Redbridge Institute before the evening ended with a presentation by Deirdre McGonagle, Olympics Development Manager for Redbridge, who explained the vital role volunteers will play in the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games. 70,000 volunteers will be required to support the games directly, with an additional 100,000 volunteers required in the lead up to and during the games.

Offering local people tasters in volunteering and a recognised volunteering qualification will hopefully increase their chances of being selected to volunteer in the 2012 games.

This forms part of the ‘Getting Redbridge Ready’ strategy to ensure the Olympic and Paralympic games will benefit local communities in Redbridge before, during and after the 2012 games.

If you are interested in volunteering at Valentines Mansion, please call 020 8708 8100.