At The Salmon Youth Centre we are always looking for opportunities to celebrate the achievements of our young people. Through different awards, we reward young people for their growth, hard work and positive attitude. Not least of these awards is the annual Member of the Year title.
The Member of the Year 2009 was announced in December, during our performance event D:Session. The person that stood out in 2009, because of her dedication, the amount of time she spent at the centre, her cheerful and helpful attitude towards staff, and her passion for engaging and involving young people, was nineteen-year-old Charlie Pelling. She received the award from a very special person: her good friend and Member of the Year 2008, nineteen-year-old Mikki Coloney.
Mikki and Charlie interviewed each other about their experience as Salmon’s Member of the Year 2008 and 2009!
Charlie interviews Mikki
How was it to hand out the Member of the Year award to me?
It was good as I was able to pass on the award to my partner in crime (J). And I was happy for you to receive it!
How did you feel when you became Member of the Year 2008?
I was very happy to receive the award, even though I felt a bit embarrassed to accept it in front of everyone!
Do you feel you deserved the award?
I would not say I deserved it, because I was just doing something I love and that is working with children. In the past, The Salmon Youth Centre has done a lot for me, so I was just giving something back.
How important do you feel your role at Salmon is?
I feel my role is important, as I am someone for the young people to look up to. I want to show them that you can achieve a lot if you really want to!
Has Salmon changed since you started going there?
Yes, it has changed; there are now even more facilities and opportunities for the young people. I have also changed myself. Now I am someone the young people can look up to and come to for advice.
Mikki interviews Charlie
How was it to receive the Member of the Year award from me?
It meant a lot more receiving it from you, because you were the first one to achieve the award!
Why do you think you became Member of the Year 2009?
Because of what I have contributed to The Salmon Youth Centre. I have achieved a lot and have grown as a person.
How does it feel to be Member of the Year 2009?
It is great that Salmon acknowledges young people. They put them in a positive light, which does not happen a lot.
What do you enjoy most about being at Salmon?
Watching and helping the young people achieve. Whether it is a six or a sixteen-year-old, it is great to show them what they can do; to allow them to learn and succeed where others have told them they can’t.
How important do you think your role at Salmon is?
I feel being a young volunteer at Salmon is important, because the young people relate to you more. We are able to show young people that you can do something positive and achieve things at a young age.
From The Salmon Issue 2
