Student Roseanna Shortlisted for Young Scot Volunteer of the Year Award
Edinburgh College student Roseanna Campbell has been shortlisted for a Young Scot Award 2020 in recognition of her dedication to supporting young people in Edinburgh.
Twenty-one-year-old Roseanna, who is studying Introduction to Social Services at the College, is one of three finalists shortlisted in the Volunteering category at this year’s Sunday Mail Young Scot Awards.
The awards recognise extraordinary young people aged 11-26 who improve the lives of people in their community. This year’s finalists have been commended for their spirit, dedication and determination.
Roseanna, who was in care throughout her teens and became homeless at the age of 16, became a champion volunteer at 6VT Edinburgh City Youth Café as a way of giving something back to the organisation that helped her in her darkest hour.
Roseanna was referred to 6VT Edinburgh City Youth Cafe and joined its Independent Living Skills course. Over her time on the course, she built friendships and positive relationships with staff and was supported to build a youth board, where she volunteered her time to drive the board forward, so they could become a strong and effective board.
The charity’s mission is to make a positive impact in the lives of intercultural young people – ensuring their full integration in society. To help achieve these aims, they run a host of programmes, including a youth club and heritage dance sessions.
Roseanna has been a youth board member for 4 years, was elected as President and has recently been selected as 6VT’s Youth Ambassador, which has enabled her to attend many events including press launches, deputations and Scotrail and ACORP awards.
With ambitions to become a Social Worker, Roseanna is combining her volunteering with her studies, she said: “My course is really interesting and builds upon a lot of what I’ve experienced while volunteering. It is helping me in getting closer to my dream of becoming a social worker.
“Volunteering gives me an opportunity to help others, and hopefully have a lasting positive impact on their lives. I can’t change the experience I had when I was younger but I can put my energy into improving the experiences of other young people.” Roseanna volunteers at 6VT’s holiday clubs – giving up weeks of her own time each school holiday -supporting young people to get involved in activities. She has also volunteered at the Independent Living Skills course, where she has offered support to other young people through the knowledge and skills she’s built up since running her own tenancy.
She is also passionate about creating a child friendly city with care experienced young people as her particular focus. She works closely with council members and was selected to be on the care champion’s board. She volunteers on this board to be a voice for care experienced young people, so their lives can be improved.
