The Student Association at Ayrshire College held a lunch at the Salt & Barrel training restaurant at our Kilmarnock Campus to recognise the efforts of a select group of volunteer Student Officers, last month.
The Ayrshire College Volunteer Awards celebrate students who have generously given their time beyond their academic commitments. These awards are a joint initiative by the Student Association and the College to recognise and reward the valuable contributions and achievements of student volunteers.
The awards are tiered – Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum – and are determined by the number of hours a student has volunteered as well as their level of involvement with the Student Association's work. They highlight the dedication, impact and community spirit of our student volunteers.
The coveted Platinum Awards recognise those students who have been truly exceptional over the course of the year and who have gone that extra mile in their role.
Demi Brown, a Level 6 Early Learning and Child Care student, wasn’t able to attend the lunch but, alongside, Daniel Drummond, an HNC Computer Games student and the Games and Clubs Officer at our Kilwinning Campus, became two-time Platinum Award winners at this year’s event.
Demi has been a Wellbeing Ambassador, a Class Ambassador and for the last two years, acted as lead LGBT and Trans Student Officer with The Student Association at Ayrshire College. As well as participating in a variety of campaigns, events and focus groups, Demi helped set up and maintain the LGBT lunch club.
Demi said: “I love being a volunteer with the Student Association. I feel like an important part of the College as a student officer. I also feel like my social life has improved, as the everyone within the Student Association are always keen to encourage me as well as others. They listen to my ideas and feedback and take them into consideration. I love being a part of the team, everyone is incredibly helpful, supportive and friendly.”
Other students recognised on the day were Class Ambassadors: Cassie Kai, a NC Oral Health Care student (Kilwinning) and Zara Anderson, NC Bakery (Kilmarnock). Nadia Murchie, who is studying HNC Construction Management, is our Wellbeing Student Officer at Ayr Campus and Orin Pearce, a Level 6 Early Learning and Child Care student, is the LGBT and Trans Student Officer at our Kilmarnock Campus.
Darcie Hamilton, who was recently re-elected as President of The Student Association at Ayrshire College, said: 'The students that volunteer with us deliver a vital service, they really support our work at The Student Association, and help to build a strong sense of community within the College. We are so grateful for all their hard work and dedication, whether that's running clubs and groups, helping us at events or supporting other students. We couldn't do it without them.”