Point of Light in Sheffield
Support for disadvantaged children in Sheffield has led to a Sova volunteer being described as a Point of Light by the Prime Minister.
Chris Savage, who lives in Sheffield, was last week presented with a letter from David Cameron by Lord Mayor of Sheffield Peter Rippon.
Chris is a trained volunteer with Sova projects with run an after school drop-in twice each week and provide holiday activities for vulnerable young people in the city.
He has also been instrumental in setting up the Star Awards which, for the past four years, has recognized the achievements of care experienced young people in the city.
Chris was in the care of Sheffield as a young person and was supported by Sova. He joined together with a small group of young people to form the Leaving Care Group which applied for funding and organised the first Star Awards. This is now an annual event.
The Prime Minister’s letter thanked Chris for his inspirational efforts as a volunteer and Councillor Rippon said he was pleased to make the presentation because of his own focus on the community and volunteering.
“Without people like you we’d be in dire straits,” he said.
The event was also attended by Sheffield’s Executive Director for Children, Young People and Families Portfolio Jayne Ludlam who praised Chris for making a difference through volunteering and went on to thank Sova for the work the organisation does in the city.
Sova Project Manager Thelma Whittaker, who has known Chris since he was 15-year-old and who nominated him to be one of the Prime Minister’s Points of Light, praised Chris for taking a key role in helping other care leavers to develop skills in budgeting, shopping and cooking
“Chris is not only an excellent volunteer, but a good role model,” she said.
As well as volunteering, Chris has attended Sova courses and obtained a youth work qualification through Sheffield Futures.
Chris is a trained volunteer with Sova projects with run an after school drop-in twice each week and provide holiday activities for vulnerable young people in the city.
He has also been instrumental in setting up the Star Awards which, for the past four years, has recognized the achievements of care experienced young people in the city.
Chris was in the care of Sheffield as a young person and was supported by Sova. He joined together with a small group of young people to form the Leaving Care Group which applied for funding and organised the first Star Awards. This is now an annual event.
The Prime Minister’s letter thanked Chris for his inspirational efforts as a volunteer and Councillor Rippon said he was pleased to make the presentation because of his own focus on the community and volunteering.
“Without people like you we’d be in dire straits,” he said.
The event was also attended by Sheffield’s Executive Director for Children, Young People and Families Portfolio Jayne Ludlam who praised Chris for making a difference through volunteering and went on to thank Sova for the work the organisation does in the city.
Sova Project Manager Thelma Whittaker, who has known Chris since he was 15-year-old and who nominated him to be one of the Prime Minister’s Points of Light, praised Chris for taking a key role in helping other care leavers to develop skills in budgeting, shopping and cooking
“Chris is not only an excellent volunteer, but a good role model,” she said.
As well as volunteering, Chris has attended Sova courses and obtained a youth work qualification through Sheffield Futures.
Pictured at the ceremony left to right are:Sova Project Manager Thelma Whittaker, Sova Support Officer Chris Dixon, Lord Mayor of Sheffield Peter Rippon, Chris Savage, Sheffield Director of Children and Families Dorne Collinson, Sheffield Executive Direct