Inspirational Jo is national award finalist
Jo Mayes
A FOOTBALL coach and youth worker has reached the finals of the largest volunteering awards for young people in the country.
Biggleswade volunteer Jo Mayes, 20, has been named as one of three finalists for her category in the VInspired national awards. The annual awards celebrate the achievements and dedication of young volunteers and youth workers.
Aragon Housing Association tenant Jo was put forward to the national finals after she previously received a VInspired regional award.
She was chosen from hundreds of youngsters aged from 16 to 25 who were considered for the accolade.
Jo, who has fought back after a deep trauma left her with depression and self-harming issues, now uses her experiences to help other young people battle their demons.
She has dedicated the last four years and almost 5,000 hours to volunteering.
Her work has included coaching several football teams and helping to counsel other young people about depression.
She also works with Aragon’s Friday night sessions, Girlzone, part of the organisation’s youth programme.
Jo, who will attend the awards ceremony at the BFI IMAX in London on March 22 said: “The best thing about volunteering is that it gives you experience and chances that you might not have had.
“At a time when I didn’t know how to help myself, realising I could still help others was a shock. It saved me.”
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Biggleswade
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 12 C to 25 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 22 mph
Wind direction: East
Your view
Please sign in to be able to comment on this story.