Success for Sefton CVS

Staff at a Sefton charity are celebrating double success in an awards scheme run by a leading local university.

Waterloo-based Sefton CVS has landed two honours in Edge Hill University’s 2017 Employability Awards, organised to recognise the work-related achievements of students and the contribution of employers who provide opportunities for them.

TV production undergraduate Shannon Bryan was honoured as the Student Employee of the Year for her work with the CVS-run Sefton Young Advisors, while CVS itself was also recognised in the Student Employer of the Year category.

The Young Advisors are a team of 15-21 year olds in Sefton who help organisations to understand the interests of young people, and how to get their message across to them in a more youth-friendly way.

Over the past 12 months Shannon has used her media skills to make a number of high-quality films to support the work of the Young Advisors, as well as also developing a peer mentoring project as part of her role.

Shannon commented: “I find my work with the Young Advisors so inspiring as I am helping to give exposure to important issues that are often ‘under the radar’.

“I visited the United Nations HQ in Copenhagen as part of my role and working for them in the future would be my dream career.”

Meanwhile, Sefton CVS received its own award from the university for its commitment to the employment and development of students, particular as part of the Young Advisors initiative.

Chief Executive, Angela White OBE, said: “We are very grateful to Edge Hill for this award which reflects our belief that students have a vital role to play in the future of the voluntary, community and faith sector.

“We are also extremely proud of the work of our Sefton Young Advisors, and of Shannon who is a shining example of a caring, passionate employee.”