Fixers Take Over

By Jack Welch, Volunteer Press Officer

4th October 2014

Taking inspiration from his time at WITS and the previous project, Dorset Youth Association, our long-serving volunteer Jack has been in touch with the national charity Fixers to lead on a new project all about youth participation in heritage based involvement. Fixers works with young people aged 16-25 across the UK to coordinate create their own resource to fix an issue within their own communities.

With a number of the WITS volunteers, plus some other young guests, we were joined by Fixers staff, Katie and Carrie, for Jack to lead a focus group on a series of questions on this subject. It allowed everyone to give an insight into what inspires them about taking part in these kinds of projects and what the consequences may be if heritage is not important for young people.

More updates and developments will follow from this meeting, so keep an ear out for what's happening next in this exciting project.

UPDATE: Jack has now been invited to do a broadcast film next year for ITV News West Country. Exciting stuff!

For more information on Fixers and how you can get involved, please visit www.fixers.org.uk.

Awards Success Continues

By Jack Welch, Volunteer Press Officer

30th October 2014

After the tremendous success of the recent reception of our 'Inspiring Project Award' at Dorset Youth Association's AGM (read here for the full story), the WITS team were up for another accolade as we received the 'Volunteer Group of the Year' award from the Dorset Volunteer Centre. Hosted at Bridport House, the certificates for each volunteer was presented by the current Lord Lieutenant of Dorset, Angus Campbell, with the ceremony presided by DYA Chairman, Allen Knott.

Before collecting our award, the group were well-deservedly treated to an evening meal in the centre of Dorcheste, where Project Officer, Lorna, was presented with an ornamental cake stand and bouquet of flowers, as a token of the group's appreciation for her hard work this past year.

Congratulations to all the other fantastic individuals and groups who picked up awards on the evening. It was wonderful to have so much activity in Dorset recognised.