Our Mission at Preston Vocational Centre (PVC) is to support young people and adults to gain skills and confidence to build future careers. National Volunteer Week is the perfect time to recognise our amazing volunteers at PVC who give their time to support our learners whilst developing their skills and working towards a career.
Liam and Sreedev are just two examples of what is achievable through dedication and hard work. Whilst volunteering at PVC over the past few months, they have provided an extra pair of hands and contributed to day-to-day life at the centre.
Liam first joined PVC as a student and is currently working hard towards his Extended Qualification Certificate in Construction. His talent and dedication was clear to his tutors and that’s why, when Liam approached us asking to volunteer at PVC to broaden his skillset, we were keen to get him started.
Whilst volunteering at PVC, Liam has been helping in sessions, gaining hands-on experience to support his qualification.
Liam shared:
“I really enjoy supporting the team at PVC. I help set up sessions and clear away after, always making myself available to assist the team when they need it. Volunteering is great because I’m constantly learning by getting involved, it's helped my confidence within the trade massively.
“I’m really grateful to PVC for making me feel so welcome and part of the team. No question is too much trouble and they are always there to support me”.
Sreedev joined PVC to gain experience working with young people and adults alongside his social work qualification. During his time with us, he made a strong impression on the team, leading to further development opportunities with our parent organisation, Community Gateway Association, which included work experience with the Tenancy Management Team.
Reflecting on his time volunteering, Sreedev shared:
"At PVC, I saw how they prioritise the wellbeing of students, supporting learners not only in the trade but personally too. I learnt a lot from Martin, the Centre Manager, who is great at working with the students and keeping them engaged.
"The culture at PVC was really great to witness, I built relationships with the students and got to work with a diverse range of people. When I started volunteering, I struggled with my confidence, but with the support from PVC and pushing myself to get involved, I have grown so much.
"I am also really grateful to PVC for arranging work experience for me with CGA, I truly felt supported by the team to gain the most out of volunteering".
Volunteering at PVC is a great way to gain real-world experience, build confidence and explore future career paths. We are proud to support people like Liam and Sreedev as they develop their skills and take the next steps in their journeys. We would like to thank them both for their time, commitment and the impact they have made at the centre.
If you are interested in getting involved with us in a volunteering capacity, get in touch with us by clicking here, call 01772 880680 or email info@prestonvocationalcentre.co.uk.